One of the signature identifiers of modern civilization has been the immense rise in cities and urban dwellings. This has resulted in the rise of the real estate market as the cornerstone of human society, with people looking for houses for sale, apartments for rent, and office spaces to let, among other things. However, the rise in contemporary living, including architectural practices like petroleum products, has led to adverse environmental and climatic impacts. The loss of green spaces has characterized the majority of cities. This has resulted from increased demand for commercial spaces, additional housing, and massive infrastructural developments. Consequently, much of the planet has been transformed into concrete jungles with polluted environments, adverse health impacts, and unpredictable climate change.
The negative consequences of losing green spaces have resulted in advocacy for their incorporation into urban planning, including in the architectural design of houses. Initially, this desire was driven primarily by the role of green spaces in enhancing aesthetics and urban beauty. However, people now demand community green spaces, parks, trees, walking trails, and other natural areas due to their positive impacts on environmental sustainability and health. According to EROS Group’s director, sustainable environments and buildings are crucial in creating a comfortable and healthier living experience while reducing energy consumption and emissions.
While there is almost unanimous agreement that green spaces should be incorporated into building designs, the process is still challenging as there is disharmony in existing designs. The design-build process is accompanied by other challenges, such as permit processing and individual client demands. As such, this article aims to bring insights into how real estate investors and designers can incorporate green spaces into the built environment to achieve sustainability.
The first tip for successfully incorporating green spaces into the built environment is understanding the appropriate spacing needed. Samuel Kim, a former Forbes Council member, calls this the “space-to-people ratio.” A simple explanation is knowing the number of people that will live in this environment and the activities they will be engaged in. This information is then used as the foundation for the construction of green spaces. For example, a homeowner involved in sports practice will require a different amount of space than a family that only needs space for an outdoor dinner.
The space-to-people approach must also consider that different users may utilize these green spaces simultaneously. This means that the designer must tailor the green spaces to accommodate all users. For example, one group might eat together while another engages in reading sessions. The best approach to account for these variables is to create different activity nooks and clusters. In this case, the nooks are private spaces providing comfort and privacy for one or two people. On the other hand, clusters are formations resulting from placing different activity-specific elements close to each other.
Another approach to effectively incorporating green spaces into the built environment is adopting passive design principles during the building process. This reduces reliance on mechanical lighting, cooling, and heating systems, instead using natural elements from the environment and climate. There are many approaches to passive building design. For instance, windows, openings, and vents can be strategically placed to enhance fresh air flow, thus maximizing natural ventilation. The result is reduced reliance on mechanical cooling systems, significantly lowering energy consumption.
Another approach is to apply biophilic design principles to integrate biodiversity and green spaces. Avneesh Sood says biophilic principles transform urban landscapes, promoting human well-being, sustainable living, and ecological balance. By incorporating biodiversity and green spaces, the surroundings’ aesthetic appeal is also enhanced, resulting in a calming and pleasing environment for people.
Biophilic design principles, in this case, involve the integration of nature into the urban setting. This enhances the connection between the natural world and human beings. The elements of this design include vertical green spaces, green roofs, and urban parks, which are part of the built environment. These elements foster human well-being and harmony by reducing stress, improving overall physical and mental health, and enhancing productivity. As a result, ensuring that the built environment includes gardens, urban green spaces, and parks within city limits is essential.
In conclusion, a collective effort among different stakeholders in the real estate market is essential for adopting sustainable approaches in the built environment. This can be achieved through collaboration between individual consumers, real estate developers, architects, and regulatory and government bodies, resulting in increased awareness, incentives, and regulations that promote sustainability. Such approaches include providing financial incentives and incorporating green building standards, benefiting human well-being, the climate, and the environment. Some public sections also need education on the benefits of adopting sustainable living. This will lead to the widespread embrace of sustainability as a core aspect of real estate and construction design, resulting in a future where buildings are aesthetically and functionally pleasing while positively contributing to the environment.
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