How do we get more green space into developments?
Our need for connection and communal space
Along with the shift toward higher density housing, the country is facing an ‘epidemic of loneliness’ like many developed nations.
UNSW’s 2021 longitudinal study into the subject concluded that investing in public green space is a big part of the solution.
For example, they found that a greening target of 30% of local land-cover could lower the risk of people feeling lonely by a quarter – and up to a half for those in a higher risk category who are living alone.
In addition to boosting our mental and physical health, an increase in green space helps reduce the climate and health impacts of urban heat islands in our cities.
The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils has pointed out that urban heat has multiple interconnected effects, including 6% higher heat-related mortality risks for residents in warm neighbourhoods and a 100% increase in peak electricity demand when temperatures rise from 20 to 40 degrees.
What makes a place liveable? The people speak
Whether it’s a flow-on effect of COVID, climate awareness, or simply a shift in priorities, open space now appears to be a consistent drawcard for people living in or moving to multi-residential communities.
In Parramatta, one of Sydney’s largest LGAs by population – where nearly two-thirds of dwellings are medium or high density – residents say easy-to-reach open space plays a major role in liveability.
‘Access to the natural environment’ was in the top 3 out of 16 indicators making somewhere ‘a good place to live’, according to 52% of the 1,000+ respondents involved in the 2022 Living in Parramatta report.
Across Australia, policy guidance on communal space in apartment developments has been in place for some years now. That means it’s now possible to analyse more evidence to determine what makes a great communal space – and typological studies reveal that the answer is real landscape in the form of planting and trees.
Markham Avenue in Ashburton, VIC
A drawcard in new developments
Beyond the health and lifestyle benefits for residents, green space has been shown to boost property values too. Cost is often given as a reason for limiting the inclusion of landscape. But when it’s done well, landscape can add value at a significantly lower price than enhancing other aspects of a building.
In Melbourne, research by Parks Victoria has suggested that dwellings adjacent to parks could see an increase in value of 5 to 7 per cent, while CoreLogic analysis has identified a correlation between green space and housing prices in Sydney’s densely populated eastern suburbs.
With the race on to build more medium- and high-density housing, green, generous and well-planned communal outdoor space and amenities can be a deciding factor for buyers and renters.
For example, 2024 findings on the most-searched home features on realestate.com.au revealed that ‘outdoor living’ is at the top of the list in Queensland, while ‘outdoor area’ was at #3 for property hunters nationally.
Understanding the increasing appeal and increasing need, we are seeing examples of housing developments prioritising landscape in new and exciting ways.
The Arcadia project in Sydney’s Alexandria focuses on extensive communal open space and rooftops. In Melbourne, Burwood Brickworks is a 6 Star Green Star Community connected to large public spaces, a plaza and a shopping precinct complete with an urban rooftop farm, while projects like Markham Avenue by Homes Victoria and Nightingale 2.0 show that quality landscape does not need to impact affordability.
Stanton Place in Rosebery, NSW
A landscape-led community
On Stanton Place, our client Stockland recognised the value landscape would bring to high density living, and together we created a community centred around a ‘Secret Garden’. Our Landscape team wanted to demonstrate that you can still have all the great amenities you’d expect from a traditional bungalow in Rosebery within a new apartment development.
On the street edge we incorporated front gardens, with low brick walls and palisade fences, retaining the character of the original Rosebery garden suburb where friends and neighbours would socialise over the front fence.
At the heart of the site, there’s a generous, split-level communal open space for residents to relax, work, gather, exercise or grow their own food – key selling points for our client.
Importantly, the communal areas contain extensive trees and soft landscape that enhance ecology and ensure these are spaces where residents will want to dwell, connecting with nature and with each other.
It’s a great example of how high-density developments can embrace quality landscapes for living, with benefits flowing to residents, developers and the wider community for years to come.
Stanton Place in Rosebery, NSW
Principal Esther Dickins leads our Landscape team at Architectus. A qualified Landscape Architect and Urban Designer who also holds a degree in Architecture, she takes an integrated approach to design and planning to reach richer, more successful outcomes for cities and communities.
