What is it about?
Trees can make cities healthier places to live, but most research has focused simply on how much green space is present. Our study asks whether the way urban tree canopy is arranged also matters for children's health. Using data from low- and middle-income countries, we examined whether having more tree cover—and having that tree cover in larger, more connected rather than fragmented patches—is associated with a lower risk of death among children under five. We also explored where improving the amount and spatial arrangement of urban tree canopy could potentially deliver the greatest health benefits.
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Why is it important?
Most studies on urban greenery focus on how much green space is available, but our findings show that how trees are arranged may also matter for health. This is particularly important in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of child mortality remains high and urban areas are expanding rapidly. By showing that both increasing tree canopy and reducing its fragmentation could benefit child health, our study provides evidence that urban greening strategies should consider not only how many trees are planted, but also where and how they are arranged.
Perspectives
For rapidly urbanizing cities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, I hope these findings encourage urban planners and public health researchers to think beyond the quantity of green space and consider its spatial configuration. Ultimately, better integrating ecological knowledge into urban planning could help create healthier and more resilient cities, especially for vulnerable populations such as young children.
Dengkai Chi
Tianjin University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Urban tree canopy fragmentation and child mortality in low- and middle-income countries, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, August 2026, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2606669123.
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