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Global Decline in Urban Green Spaces: Insights from the HUGSI Report 2025

In a rapidly urbanizing world, the significance of green spaces is more crucial than ever. The recently released Urban Green Space Insights (HUGSI) Report 2025 by Husqvarna Group utilizes cutting-edge AI and satellite technology to assess the status of urban greenery across the globe. Unfortunately, the findings reveal a concerning trend: a loss of green areas across the analyzed cities, amounting to an astonishing area nearly equivalent to that of Paris.

This report covers 516 cities across six continents, assessing each city’s green coverage on their greenest day of the year. Notably, the research indicates that the overall average greenery in different regions varies significantly, with Europe holding the highest average at 46%. In contrast, regions like South West Asia average merely 25% greenery, exemplified by cities such as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a mere 1%.

During the period from 2023 to 2024, the cities studied collectively lost about 95 million square meters of green space, driven chiefly by industrial activities, construction projects, and urban expansion. Alarmingly, 73% of the cities reported a negative change in their greenery. On a brighter note, around 45 million square meters of new or improved green space emerged during the same period, prompted largely by favorable weather conditions rather than proactive greening strategies.

The Nordic Region: A Green Hub

Interestingly, the Nordic region stands out as a global leader in urban greenery. The cities in this region boast an impressive average of 49% green space, which comes out to nearly half of the urban land area being occupied by vegetation, including trees, grass, and shrubs. Comparatively, Europe, as a whole, reports a decreased green space, demonstrating a loss of 13.3 million square meters, further emphasizing the Nordic cities' exemplary management of urban green spaces.

Among the Nordic cities that shined in the report, Vejle in Denmark stands out with a remarkable 58% greenery coverage, closely followed by Uppsala and Linköping in Sweden. Aarhus has also distinguished itself with a nearly 1.2 million square meters increase in greenery. Notably, Vilnius tops all European capitals with an impressive 61% of its area dedicated to green spaces, translating to 226 square meters per person and 47% tree canopy coverage.

The Importance of Urban Green Spaces

Erik Swan, the green space specialist and project manager of HUGSI, poignantly emphasizes the critical role that trees and green spaces play in enhancing urban environments. He states, “Green spaces serve as the lungs of the city, and trees are vital for maintaining a healthy microclimate, improving air quality, and promoting overall well-being among city residents.” With accelerated urbanization, planning for greenery should not be an afterthought but a primary focus to facilitate sustainable and livable urban settings.

Conclusion

While the global decline in urban green spaces is alarming, cities in the Nordic region serve as a beacon of hope and a model for sustainable urban planning. As cities across the globe evolve, prioritizing the development of urban greenery is essential for creating environments conducive to healthy living and ecological balance. The insights provided by the HUGSI report should motivate city planners, local governments, and communities to invest in green initiatives, reinforcing the necessity of nurturing natural spaces within our urban confinements.