When it comes to gardens, there are a great number of benefits that cover off different categories such as your mental health and wellbeing, environmental impact as well as physical appearance. For a strata property, it is important to consider the impact that having gardens can have on residents and the community as a whole and there is a case to be made for cultivating gardens as much as possible.
Gardens can have a number of positive effects on a strata property, both for residents and for the property itself. Some of the benefits of incorporating gardens into a strata property include:
- Improving air quality:
Plants and trees can help to purify the air by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. This can help to improve indoor air quality, especially in urban areas where air pollution is a concern. - Enhancing property values:
Gardens and landscaping can improve the overall appearance of a property, making it more attractive to potential buyers and renters. This can help to increase property values and make the property more marketable. - Reducing stress:
Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. Incorporating gardens and green spaces into a strata property can provide residents with a place to relax and unwind. - Providing opportunities for community engagement:
Community gardens, for example, can provide opportunities for residents to come together and work on a shared project. This can help to foster a sense of community and belonging among residents. - Reducing urban heat island effect:
Gardens and green spaces can help to reduce the urban heat island effect by absorbing heat and releasing moisture into the air. This can help to lower cooling costs and improve the overall comfort of residents. - Water conservation:
Gardens can also help to reduce water consumption by providing natural ways of retaining water and reducing runoff. - Biodiversity:
Gardens can also provide habitats for wildlife and biodiversity, which can help to support the natural ecosystem in urban areas.
Overall, gardens and green spaces can provide a number of benefits. However, it is also important to consider what costs may need to be mitigated in order to implement gardens into common property. Some things to consider before making changes are:
- How are you going to maintain the gardens? Will you need to hire a gardener or maintenance person? This may cost money to the Strata Company.
- Are you going to be using more water to maintain the gardens? Although gardens create a lot of benefits, will it come at an overall greater cost to the environment through water requirements? Can you collect rainwater instead or plant Waterwise plants?
- How much will the new gardens cost? Does the Strata Company have the budget for buying and planning new plants?
- If you are going to introduce community gardens, how are you going to maintain them long-term? Will there need to be rules in place around community garden usage?
