The 3:30:300 rule for urban afforestation and the mitigation of air pollution in different areas of cities in São Paulo

• Grant number: 25/19189-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Maurício Lamano Ferreira
• Grantee: Lucas Monteiro de Carvalho Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Energia e Ambiente (IEE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/15349-3 - Innovation in urban forestry planning aimed at promoting resilient and healthy cities: contributions to the implementation of the National Urban Forestry Plan, AP.PP

Abstract

The urbanization model of cities around the world has faced increasing challenges due to the current effects of climate change and global warming. To adapt cities to this new scenario, making these spaces more resilient and sustainable has been a focus of researchers' attention. One of the initiatives adopted has been the formulation of objectives, rules, guidelines, and public policies that encourage the creation and/or transformation of urban areas into green spaces. More specifically, urban forestry has been identified in research as having the ability to mitigate storms and reduce urban temperatures, among other effects. Furthermore, the natural ability of green vegetation to capture airborne contaminants has been recognized as an essential ecosystem service. Related to this context, the 3-30-300 Rule aims to provide targets and a benchmark for urban settlements to create and improve equitable access to trees and green spaces, resulting in improved health, well-being, and resilience for the city and its residents. In this context, this study aims to assess, through air quality biomonitoring, the concentration of heavy metals in the urban atmosphere of territories with different socioeconomic levels in seven cities in the state of São Paulo and associate these concentrations with the urban greening conditions of these territories, according to the guidelines and components of Rule 3-30-300. Based on these findings, we aim to establish the cause-and-effect relationship between the mitigation capacity of urban afforestation and air pollution indices, particularly heavy metals. (AU)