Green Divide: The Stark Contrast in Tree Cover Across Asian Cities

Picture Credit: New Scientist

From Colombo to Chongqing, cities across Asia are revealing dramatic differences in how green — or gray — they really are. A new analysis by DW examining 50 major Asian cities found a striking range in tree cover and access to green space, with only four cities — Colombo, Mumbai, Yangon, and Chongqing — offering a lush, tree-rich environment for most of their residents.

In Sri Lanka’s capital, nearly 40% of people live close to dense tree cover — thanks largely to parks like Viharamahadevi and the greenery found in surrounding suburbs like Negombo. But the city center itself is lacking, with high-rises and tight roads leaving little room for trees. This pattern — green suburbs but gray cores — is echoed in many Asian metropolises.

At the other end of the spectrum are cities like Riyadh, Karachi, and Kabul, where over 80% of residents live in areas with minimal to no tree cover. Karachi, surrounded by desert and historically lacking in large-scale tree planting, has recently launched reforestation efforts using recycled water, aiming to transform barren hills into urban forests.

While tropical climates naturally support more trees — seen in green leaders like Yangon and Mumbai — climate alone doesn’t determine greenery. Manila, for instance, shares a climate with Yangon but has much lower tree coverage due to rapid urban sprawl and inadequate green planning.

With deadly heatwaves gripping South and Southeast Asia, trees offer more than just beauty. They reduce urban heat, provide shade, improve air quality, and protect vulnerable outdoor workers. As temperatures soar, cities face growing pressure to integrate green infrastructure to protect health, livelihoods, and economic productivity.

One standout example is Singapore — a dense city that’s globally recognized for integrating nature with development. From vertical gardens to green corridors, Singapore shows how even the most urban environments can prioritize trees through thoughtful planning.

As extreme weather becomes the norm and populations swell, the question isn’t whether cities can afford to plant more trees — it’s whether they can afford not to.