Applying the 3-30-300 Guideline to Evaluate Green Equality in a Medium-Sized Brazilian City

Abstract Background It is essential to provide higher quality environments for the development of human activities in urbanized areas, such as better adapted urban centers. Regarding concerns related to climate change, there is a discussion about joint efforts to establish an ideal standard to be followed worldwide, significantly increasing the ecosystem services provided by urban forests, which directly affects the community’s quality of life. Methods This research aimed to characterize neighborhoods with different per capita incomes according to the 3-30-300 guideline in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, a medium-sized Brazilian municipality. An inventory of the road component of urban forests was carried out for 9 neighborhoods from 3 different economic strata based on average per capita income. Results No neighborhood considered in the different per capita incomes fully complied with the 3-30-300 guideline. There was no difference in applying the guideline about the socioeconomic distinctions of the neighborhoods evaluated. Only 1 neighborhood in 9 evaluated (Neighborhood H) presented canopy coverage values above 30% because its urbanization process had not fully occurred, thus presenting a high percentage of the remaining natural forest matrix. Only one neighborhood evaluated (Neighborhood F) had all residences no more than 300 m from a public green area. Conclusions There is a need for public authorities to assess the implementation and maintenance of urban forests in the municipality, aiming to increase them significantly. It is worth noting that when the urban environment is not planned considering the precepts of 3-30-300, its parameters can be measured using it.