The landscape component of developments has become increasingly important over the last several years, not least in Planning terms.
The ecological and environmentally beneficial outcomes are now well known and accepted. What is perhaps less so are the potential direct health benefits to those occupying the development.
This study carried out at the University of Miami (see link below) found that increased amounts of greenery around residential developments correlated closely with reduced levels of common health risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension.
The article goes on to tie the “greenery” component in with a wide range of other influencing factors thus perhaps reducing its significance but it does reinforce the importance of considering every aspect – including this kind of passive healthcare – when embarking on placemaking design.
