More and more people are flocking towards the cities, and there has been a rise in the demand for homes as more people seek to become homeowners. With an increasing population and limited space, there has been a trend in building upwards – apartment buildings: rather than the age-old single story homes. How do developers make do with the situation? How do we adjust the way we structure our towns and cities to foster a sense of community among residents? Shared spaces and amenities allow developers to maximise on the available space while also promoting a sense of community and belonging in the residents.
You may be wondering why connection and community are of utmost importance in this modern age. Modern living is characterised by a fast pace, work, deadlines, and pressure from all angles. There is also the ever looming threat of loneliness that can creep up on a person when everyone around them is so heavily engrossed in their own lives or glued to a phone screen. Overall health and wellbeing of an individual can greatly improve when they feel seen, valued and have a place to belong to. Community shared spaces can be a step in the right direction when getting to that goal. For example, when it comes to remote workers, they need co-working spaces that allow them to interact with other like-minded people. Yes, working people can get lonely too.
Developments such as The Hills Lifestyle Estate have integrated luxurious co-working spaces into the estate in a bid to foster connections during working hours. It’s not just for socialising but also for brainstorming, problem-solving and picking each other’s brains among one another. There is an ever-increasing need for coworking spaces owing to the rise in remote-working and technology, this trend and the need to foster community makes coworking spaces the perfect addition to apartment building complexes.
Let’s explore some features that can be integrated into living spaces that will go a long way in fostering connection in modern living. Rooftop gardens, picnic spaces, parks, clubhouses, communal pool, fitness centres and entertainment areas are the order of the day!
Across the globe, heavily urbanised areas becry a lack of space and greenery – the brick, mortar and pristine tiles of modern, urban living rob people of the grit and dirt of gardening. Rooftop gardens give gardening enthusiasts and everyone in between to get involved in a community activity. Having residents place their plants on the roof of a shared apartment complex will bring them closer together, and the greenery will do them much good in terms of their mental health. Tending to the plants, weeding, pruning and sharing notes on growing flowers and fruits can be a means of establishing a tight-knit community. Over and above this, residents in Millennium Heights will each have their own vertical garden spaces in the spacious balconies. There is an option for residents to be outgoing or introverted whichever suits them best. The Millennium Heights apartment estate, will also have a whole park for residents to enjoy as a community. The park will be exclusive to the residents at Pokugara Residential Estate and Millennium Heights. Families can enjoy intimate picnic, the community can hold outdoor events such as braais, tournaments, celebrations and other exciting games.
Communal entertainment and social areas are another great way to enhance a feeling of togetherness in a community. There could be shared lounges that are well-furnished to encourage gatherings such as movie-nights, game nights and karaoke. Residents can beat the blues by organising and participating in numerous activities and events that foster connection. WestProp’s residential estates such as Pomona City and The Hills Lifestyle Estate will have fully-featured clubhouses that allow residents to come together for social activities. The clubhouse is a free and accessible venue to all the residents within the estate. The Homeowners Association in conjunction with the relevant committees can then plan social events for the residents. Diverse events that cater to all age groups and preferences will ensure that there is something for everyone and more people can participate.
In closing, it is also important to introduce checks and balances so that the line between privacy and community remains clear. In a bid to promote community and connection, one runs the risk of eroding people’s privacy. With that being said, it is clear that there is potential for conflict in such spaces and a means of conflict resolution must be in place. As communal as estates can be, proper planning should be employed in order to maintain privacy. Pokugara Residential Estate embodies this by allocating each townhouse in the estate a private patio that allows some space for homeowners to have a cosy, intimate space for when they need it.
In planning, developers should consider the maintenance of shared spaces to avoid “the tragedy of the commons” whereby no one feels responsible or obligated to contribute to the upkeep of the place because it is shared. This can be done through the setting up and appointment of a Homeowners Association. Instilling a strong sense of ownership among residents by having them manage the estate using their own structures can also help to avoid such a scenario. WestProp employs property managers who oversee the developments and liaise with the Homeowners Association to ensure that the estate runs smoothly. This partnership ensures that facilities and amenities remain in pristine condition. When careful thought has been put into the execution, building and managing of community shared spaces, it can offer many benefits.
