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There has often been a disparity in tree cover in poorer neighbourhoods and we know from a 2016 UCD study we know that this applies to Dublin too. While complete data are not available across all Irish towns and cities, there is growing evidence that a ‘green apartheid’ exists across most of our urban environments. Neighbourhoods with mature tree canopies enjoy cleaner air, lower noise and better mental and physical health. One finding from a comprehensive UCD study on Dublin’s tree canopy is that while Fingal County Council recorded 9.8% canopy cover across its constituency, the figure for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council was 16.4% indicating that a greater number of trees and greenery are planted in areas populated by larger, more expensive homes beyond the city centre. Another recent Australian study found that urban green spaces with open grass rather than a mature tree canopy do not deliver comparable health benefits for residents.

However, though there are many novel greening projects being initiated across the country there is currently no concerted effort to address this imbalance or ‘green apartheid’ within central government. This must change urgently if we are to protect all of our citizens from increasingly extreme weather events while improving overall quality of life. All suburbs should be leafy suburbs.

Further Reading

Affluent areas of Dublin city have more trees and green spaces:

https://www.ucd.ie/newsandopinion/news/2016/feb/29/affluentareasofdublincityhavemoretreesandgreenspaces/

Dublin Tree Canopy Study Final Report: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316441902_Dublin_Tree_Canopy_Study_Final_Report

More trees, more wealth: https://stand.ie/more-trees-more-wealth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=more-trees-more-wealth

Urban heat islands affect tree canopy temperatures and health: https://phys.org/news/2021-05-urban-islands-affect-tree-canopy.html

Trees: The critical infrastructure low-income neighbourhoods lack: https://phys.org/news/2021-07-trees-critical-infrastructure-low-income-neighborhoods.html

All suburbs should be leafy suburbs