Top 5 Benefits of Shared Spaces in New Housing Developments for Community, Health, and Value

Discover the Top 5 Benefits of Shared Spaces in New Housing Developments, from Community-building to Sustainability

Whether you’re completing developments of four- and five-bedroom homes surrounded by acres of countryside, or a high-rise in central London, you can never underestimate the benefits of shared spaces in new housing developments.

Not only do shared amenities, such as green spaces, gyms, workspaces and screening rooms provide an extra selling point to be used in your sales and marketing materials, they are also an effective tool for instilling a sense of companionship between neighbours. 

As Atelier Ellis Architects points out, ‘One of the most effective ways to foster community is by creating shared spaces where people can come together.’  But how does this ‘coming together’ work in practice and what other benefits are to be had from including shared spaces on your new housing development projects? 

In this blog, we discover the top five benefits of including shared spaces in new housing developments, why shared facilities are important and some guidance on how to ensure the community spaces you provide stand head and shoulder above your competitors.

 1. Fostering Community and Social Interaction

Benefit: Shared spaces such as parks, community gardens, and lounges create opportunities for residents to connect, which fosters a sense of community and belonging.  ‘Shared spaces provide opportunities for casual encounters and spontaneous interactions,’ highlights Atelier Ellis Architects. ‘The more opportunities people have to come together, the stronger the sense of community becomes.’  The provision of community living spaces can therefore reduce isolation and encourage neighbourly interactions that would otherwise not have an opportunity to take place.

Importance: In their blog titled ‘Why community should be at the heart of residential development,’ Savills, points to the increasing awareness and focus on our physical and mental wellbeing, as well as the duty of the developer to encourage this through the creation of shared and communal spaces.  ‘One easy win for developers is the inclusion of workspaces and well-thought-out places where residents can interact – to work near home while not being at home,’ advises Savills.  The sense of a strong community on the development brought about by the addition of shared spaces in new housing development can enhance residents' quality of life, leading to greater satisfaction and mental wellbeing.

Advice: Organising community events and activities is an effective way to encourage the use of and interaction within the community living spaces you’ve provided.  Using an app like Spaciable Living to manage shared spaces, allows housing providers to send out surveys to ascertain common hobbies or desired activities.  Once an event has been decided on, the app can be used to send out Calendar invitations, push notifications to remind residents close to the date of the event, and follow-up surveys to gauge the event’s success.  Regularly engaging residents in the planning of these events ensures the shared spaces meet their needs and preferences.

2. Enhanced Property Value and Appeal

Benefit: Well-maintained shared spaces enhance the aesthetic appeal of the development, making it more attractive to potential buyers or renters.  This attraction has a substantial benefit; the Office for National Statistics found that, ‘Houses and flats within 100 metres of public green spaces are an average of £2,500 more expensive than they would be if they were more than 500 metres away.’ 

Importance: As well as increasing the value of property, attractive communal facilities can make their developments a more desirable place to live.  As property management and maintenance company, Virtu Property, points out, ‘Shared space in modern developments creates the impression that residents, purchasers and tenants are getting more for their money by having access to a range of amenities that could save them money and time in the long run.’  After all, with a gym, cafe and yoga class on-site, it could seem the best things in life are all at their fingertips.

Advice: To ensure communal areas in new builds are meeting their requirements, it’s important to implement a regular maintenance schedule and invest in quality landscaping and amenities, to keep them appealing and functional.  Additionally, be sure to use regular surveys, as they allow you to analyse customer feedback to ensure you know areas for investment.

3. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

Benefit: ‘Communities and businesses can intentionally plan and create environments that make it easy for their residents, employees, and customers to make healthy choices,’ explains healthcare provider, Elevance Health.  When your developments provide access to shared facilities such as gyms, walking trails, and recreational areas, these amenities encourage physical activity, promoting healthier lifestyles among residents.

Importance: Regular physical activity can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for residents.  Kelly-Anne Watson, Managing Director at The Class Foundation, argues that communal living spaces provide, ‘Sanctuaries for residents to find solace and rejuvenation,’ meaning their mental health is also benefitting.

Advice: To ensure you cater to different age groups and interests, it’s important to provide diverse facilities and ensure that all residents have access to activities that promote health and wellness.

4. Environmental Benefits and Sustainability

Benefit: Shared green spaces contribute to environmental sustainability.  As HogoNext points out, ‘Community gardens and green spaces provide habitats for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, contributing to urban biodiversity.’  This works to reduce urban heat and improve air quality. 

Importance: Eco-friendly developments are a vital aspect of achieving our sustainability goals on both a national and global scale.  These developments will also attract environmentally-conscious residents, who will spread the word about your sustainable features, potentially increasing referrals from like-minded prospective buyers and tenants.

Advice: To optimise the sustainable aspect of your shared spaces, be sure to incorporate eco-friendly practices such as native planting, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting.  If you also engage residents in sustainability initiatives, you will foster a collective sense of responsibility.

5. Efficient Use of Space and Resources

Benefit: Shared amenities like co-working spaces, laundry facilities, or communal kitchens make efficient use of resources and reduce the need for individual ownership of all amenities.  This is a strong selling point for many potential customers as it removes the need to purchase, install and maintain many white goods typically bought for the home.

Importance: The sharing of these everyday facilities can lower the cost of living for residents.  In a discussion on ‘The Sharing Economy and Environmental Stability,’ Cambridge University Press revealed that, ‘Another study focused on waste reduction found that, operated under favourable conditions, sharing could potentially reduce household waste by 20 per cent overall,’ which is a significant figure to consider. 

Advice: To optimise the efficiency of resources and increase their sustainability, it is important to implement a clear management system for booking and using shared facilities, such as that offered by Spaciable Living, which helps avoid conflicting bookings and ensures fair access for all.

Effective Management of Shared Spaces

Once you’ve selected the most relevant shared spaces for the development you’re building and its target market, the most important consideration is how to effectively manage these communal facilities to maximise their benefits and ensure the amenities remain valuable and enjoyable for all residents.

Here’s how to manage these spaces effectively:

• Regular Maintenance: Establish a schedule for cleaning, repairs, and landscaping to keep spaces in top condition.  Use an app such as Spaciable Living that allows residents to report any issues about their home or the facilities on the development and regularly monitor feedback to understand which areas might benefit from investment.

• Resident Involvement: Creating a residents' committee is a great way to encourage your residents to provide input on the use and upkeep of shared spaces, which, in turn, fosters a sense of ownership.

• Clear Rules and Communication: Develop and communicate clear guidelines for the use of shared facilities to prevent misuse and ensure respectful behaviour.  These can be provided on Spaciable Living and read by residents when they are booking these amenities.

• Feedback Mechanism: Implement a system for residents to provide feedback on shared spaces, such as that provided by Spaciable Living, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation to changing needs.

FAQ: Managing Shared Spaces in Housing Developments with Spaciable Living

1. Why are shared spaces important in new housing developments?
Shared spaces foster community, enhance property value, promote healthy lifestyles, and contribute to sustainability. They also provide residents with cost-effective access to amenities like gyms, co-working areas, and green spaces.

2. How does Spaciable Living simplify the management of shared spaces?
Spaciable Living offers tools for online booking, maintenance reporting, event planning, and feedback collection. It streamlines communication between residents and property managers, ensuring shared spaces remain functional and well-maintained.

3. How can shared spaces improve resident satisfaction?
Shared spaces encourage social interaction, reduce isolation, and provide convenient access to amenities, improving residents' quality of life. Features like community events and sustainability initiatives further foster a sense of belonging.

4. How does Spaciable Living ensure fair access to shared spaces?
The app’s real-time booking system prevents double bookings and ensures all residents have fair and equal access to shared amenities, reducing conflicts and enhancing convenience.

5. What insights can property managers gain from Spaciable Living?
Property managers can track usage trends, identify popular amenities, and optimise underutilised spaces using the app’s analytics tools, ensuring the shared spaces meet residents’ needs effectively.

Got more questions? Contact us to learn how Spaciable Living can transform your shared spaces!