How we recognize a green neighborhood
The neighborhoods of the future are the ones where people are closer to nature, they value it and try to lave their mark on the natural environment as little as possible. They enjoy the technological advancement and combine it with the responsibility manifested at group level. Thus, the community becomes vital in this endeavor to develop and support, on the long term, the harmony and security of the intra-community in such a green neighborhood. Meeting people’s needs and allowing them to carry out their activities naturally, a green neighborhood will manage to effectively control pollution level, save energy, practice renewable energy methods, create, and protect green spaces and the environment. In addition, the green neighborhood will aim to bring closer to people spaces and shopping areas that they cannot do without (meaning implicitly job creation), both to encourage them to develop friendships and to have easier access to their centers of interest, to which they don’t have to travel by car.
For our lives to change for the better, but also to contribute collectively to our well-being and the health of the environment in which we live, it is useful for us to recognize the elements that define a green neighborhood. It is important that we then integrate them into as many of the future residential projects in urban agglomerations as possible, which we can tame if we follow the right approach.
Generous green spaces for a better relationship with nature
Besides the fact that the gardens, parks and green spaces relax and invites us to better know nature and witness its manifestations, it is well known that vegetation considerably improves the quality of the air. In addition, our natural tendency is to connect with nature, to nurture that biophilia that increases our productivity, motivates us and help us maintain our mental health and minimize stress. In short, having the opportunity to spend time outdoors, near the house, will make us happier and more attentive to what happens around us. On the other hand, our children will grow much more empathetic, curious and playful, n a neighborhood where nature is fully embraced and accepted. Thus, the spacious terraces that encourage micro-gardening, private courtyards, but also the green spaces outside the houses in the residential complexes are, indisputably, the neighborhoods of the future.
Orientation and design of buildings, essential in a green neighborhood
The correct placement of buildings in a neighborhood will generate a more efficient use of sunlight and will significantly improve our comfort, reducing the need for heating and cooling, conditioned by the season. A longer supply of natural light in our homes means that we will use less artificial lighting solutions, consuming less electricity. The type of glazing also plays an important role in this dynamic: the generous glazed spaces and the high windows will make all the rooms of the houses in the neighborhood enjoy natural light, this, of course, if we take into account the correct orientation of the neighborhood, so as I mentioned. In fact, if the light reaches an optimal distance in the room from the window, then there will be no dark areas that allow excess moisture and mold to appear – we know how harmful they are to our health.
Green facilities, solutions that protect nature
In a green neighborhood, the aim is to make costs as efficient as possible, to use natural resources responsibly, but also to minimize the carbon footprint. It is important that, from the design phase, sustainable technical solutions are used, and as the construction progresses, sustainable materials with a long life are used. For example, in more and more architectural projects, ventilated facades are included, both because of their sustainable value and for maximizing the energy efficiency they provide to buildings. Thus, in winter, the gap between the exterior wall and the metal structure supporting the ventilated facades helps to insulate the building. In summer, however, the stacking effect ensures less overheating of the building’s exterior and, consequently, a decrease in air conditioning use, resulting in a reduction in both consumption and pollutant emissions into the atmosphere.
On the same note, a neighborhood power plant has very low carbon emissions because it uses less energy than the total number of individual power plants that would normally be in a neighborhood. Therefore, the cost of heating will be lower and the safety of users is higher, without the risk of failure, gas emissions or other such cases associated with apartment plants.
Infrastructure with a focus on people and quality of life
Green neighborhoods are an alternative to crowded, crowded blocks of flats that leave no room for intimacy or the development of harmonious relationships between neighbors. They will be much larger than usual, surrounded by greenery, parks, playgrounds and recreation areas, alleys and bike paths. In this context in which active life abounds, the creation of meeting and socializing opportunities, by arranging community centers, shared work office spaces, will strengthen people’s sense of belonging to the community. It will also be supported by the feeling of security, as long as the neighborhood will have controlled access and security systems, which will make the residents feel at ease. Moreover, both to reduce noise, eliminate noise, but also to encourage movement, it would be ideal for cars not to have access among the buildings and dedicated spaces that make up the neighborhood. The related car parks will be located either underground or in the outer areas of the neighborhoods.
Because we understand how vital it is for people to be free, to have the joy of being in communion with nature and to be part of a community for which bringing joy into life is a primary purpose of their existence, we have brought all this in the h4l neighborhoods. Would you choose to live in such a green neighborhood now that you have learned how much sense and well-being such a place can bring you?