CO-CARBON research has generated new research ideas and successful project applications. In the beginning of 2025, projects CoolGreen and Just Trees, were launched. These projects will continue with the CO-CARBON research themes and focus on the cooling benefits of vegetation and multi-species well-being alongside carbon sequestration.
CoolGreen
The project examines the cooling potential of urban vegetation as a means of climate adaptation in dense land use areas. The research assesses and models the climate impacts of densification and urban greening and produces science-based knowledge and recommendations for land use and strategic climate work in Espoo, Helsinki, and Vantaa. The research answers the questions: 1) How does urban nature (quantity, quality, distribution) influence the heat island effect in dense urban structures? and 2) How effectively can greening influence temperatures in densely built-up areas? The project is divided into three phases: a city-level analysis of Helsinki, greening scenarios in case neighbourhoods in Espoo, Helsinki and Vantaa, and recommendations for integrating the cooling benefits of urban greening into planning.
Project duration: 2025-2026
Funding: Helsinki Capital Region Research Collaboration
Collaborators: Ranja Hautamäki & team (Aalto, landscape architecture) and Leena Järvi & team (University of Helsinki, INAR)
Just Trees
The project investigates the sufficiency, accessibility, and equitable distribution of urban nature in densely populated residential areas from the perspective of multispecies well-being. Multispecies well-being aims to design living environments considering the needs of both humans and other species. Project aims to 1) enhance understanding of the well-being benefits provided by greenery for both humans and other species, and 2) provide information and guidance to support the well-being, climate, and biodiversity benefits of urban nature, particularly trees. The project applies the 3-30-300 rule, which states that everyone should see three trees from their home, neighborhoods should have 30% tree canopy cover, and everyone should have access to a green space within 300 meters.
Project duration: 2025-2026
Funding: Turku Urban Research Program
Collaborators: Ranja Hautamäki & team (Aalto, Landscape architecture), Nora Fagerholm & team (University of Turku, Department of Geography and Geology), and Ilari Sääksjärvi & team (University of Turku, Biodiversity Unit)
Starting photo: Park footpath in Kuninkaantammi (CO-CARBON)