Apartment living isn't for everyone, but it's a reality for many. The convenience of living in a bustling city often comes at the cost of isolation and lack of space for greenery. Often, apartment management and owners are constantly looking for new and different amenities to entice residents to move into and remain in their developments. At the same time, building code requirements are becoming stricter in requiring green space or green solutions for new developments. However, what if we told you that there's a way to combat these issues at once?
Community gardens are a fast-growing trend among apartment buildings looking to increase tenant satisfaction and community engagement.
Benefits of Community Gardens for Apartment Building Owners
Decreased Energy Costs
Some reports suggest that rooftop gardens can provide up to a 50% reduction in energy costs during the summer. Rooftop gardens are incredibly effective insulation systems and can help to lower the cost of cooling a building. While soil naturally functions as an insulator, the plants on top can also drop the temperature through photosynthesis and transpiration.
Studies in Germany have shown that 2 liters of fuel oil can be saved per square meter of a living roof per year. Additionally, there is a 3-10% winter saving on fuel bills in domestic buildings with rooftop gardens. For this reason, they conserve energy and money.
Overall Decreased Building Costs
Due to environmental elements, like ice, sun, wind and rain, most roofs change, by shrinking in cooler weather and expanding in hot weather. The shrinking and swelling shorten the lifespan of a building and its roof. Green roofs conserver the available energy and at the same time add lifespan to a building. It has been show that buildings that have a rooftop garden could add 20-60 years onto the life of the roof and building. When the lifespan and rooftops of buildings are enhanced, it eliminates the need for replacements and maintenance, which add costs to the building owners and operators.
Decrease Tenant Turnover
Overall community gardens foster a sense of community and raise your tenant retention. Apartment tenants have said they are 42% more likely to pay a higher rent for access to a community garden. And, almost 50% said community gardens were a top outdoor amenity for apartment living. By working together to maintain the garden, apartment dwellers can build relationships and strengthen their bond with each other. This sense of community can help to create a safer and more enjoyable living environment, where residents can rely on each other for support and assistance.
In conclusion, community gardens are a cost-effective way to transform the landscape of apartment buildings, while also fostering a sense of community among tenants, while reducing costs to the building owners and saving on energy and building maintenance cost. As the saying goes, "community gardens are the seeds of happiness growing right outside your door." So let's get planting and reap the rewards of community gardening together!
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