Have you ever thought about it? Going greener can build stronger communities. Interesting information exists online about going green and stronger communities. In fact, a report on planning.org presents the following information:

“For those concerned that green spaces may foster crime and illegal activity, evidence now exists that the opposite may be true. These are the findings of scientists at the Human-Environment Research Laboratory of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studied green space alongside public housing in Chicago. Other researchers who are conducting similar studies across the country are finding similar results.”

(Source: https://www.planning.org/cityparks/briefingpapers/saferneighborhoods.htm)

Going Greener Can Build Stronger Communities

Point 1:

First, do you want to get relief from mental fatigue or life’s aggravations? Spending time in nature nearby has been show to offer relief. According to the report mentioned above, The University of Illinois found that park like settings gave relief of three classic symptoms of mental fatigue: inattentiveness, irritability, and poor impulse control.

Point 2:

Secondly, social ties are strengthened, producing safer neighborhoods, when neighbors have green residential gathering places. Interestingly, shade trees played an important part in green spaces. The more trees, the more green spaces were used (including people of all age groups).

Point 3:

Next, people find barren spaces frightening and the areas tend to be ridden with increased crime when compared to landscaped parks and open vistas. As the report pointed out, residents living in areas with green surroundings have fewer quality-of-life crimes (less graffiti, noisy neighbors, and littering).

Point 4:

Finally, to make the best use of open landscaped spaces, it must be part of the community’s design. Of course, it goes further than incorporation in the community’s design. Maintenance is crucial.

Green Spaces Support Contact Among Neighbors

The report concludes: “The factors that explain these findings emphasize the importance of greenery in community and personal wellness. Time spent in natural surroundings relieves mental fatigue, which in turn relieves inattentiveness, irritability, and impulsivity, recognized by psychologists as precursors to violence. Green spaces also support frequent, casual contact among neighbors. This leads to the formation of neighborhood social ties, the building blocks of strong, secure neighborhoods where people tend to support, care about, and protect one another.”

If you’re interested in seeing homes in the area with green areas in the community or nearby, please contact me. I’d be happy to let you know what’s available in the area.