Canopy cover map reveals whether your neighbourhood has enough trees
See this and other fascinating projects on display in the Designs for a Cooler Planet on 5 Sept – 8 Oct 2025.
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Urbanization, climate change, and biodiversity loss are global challenges that demand urgent solutions. Greening cities—by preserving green infrastructure like trees —is a powerful way to enhance carbon sequestration, reduce urban flooding and heatwaves, and support the well-being of both people and other species.
But simply scattering greenery here and there isn’t enough. To deliver real local benefits, a sufficient amount of vegetation is needed. Aalto University’s shows that in some Helsinki neighborhoods, canopy cover reaches as high as 63%, while in others it drops to just 4%. According to the Co-Carbon project, neighborhoods with more than 25% canopy cover act as clear carbon sinks. Adequate canopy cover also ensures cooling benefits during heatwaves.
‘The maps clearly show that the climate benefits of urban greenery are not evenly distributed across Helsinki and the capital region—something policymakers should take seriously. When a city takes care of its trees, the trees take care of the people,’ says Ranja Hautamäki, Professor of landscape architecture at Aalto University.
Want to know more? Get in touch!
Climate & Canopy
Ranja Hautamäki, Professor, Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture
Antti Kinnunen, Postdoctoral Researcher, Aalto University School of Engineering
Elina Alatalo, Interaction Coordinator, Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture
Jenni Karhapää, Project Researcher, Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture
Co-Carbon project: University of Helsinki, Aalto University, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Häme University of Applied Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Funded by the Strategic Research Council.
CoolGreen project: Aalto University and University of Helsinki. Funded by Helsinki Metropolitan Region Scientific Cooperation.
Just Trees: Aalto University and University of Turku. Funded by the Turku Urban Research Program.
Co-Carbon project: Funded by the Strategic Research Council.
CoolGreen project: Funded by Helsinki Metropolitan Region Scientific Cooperation.
Just Trees: Funded by the Turku Urban Research Program.
Designs for a Cooler Planet
Aalto University’s biggest annual exhibition showcases interdisciplinary experiments at Marsio, Otakaari 2. Open 5 Sept – 28 Oct 2025.
