Blooming Buildings isn’t the only landscaping specialist in the Netherlands. However, we dare to claim that we are the only ones actively considering the financial value add aspect. Not just in terms of how much it will cost, but more importantly: how much will it yield? Some of our colleagues come from corporate backgrounds. From experience, we know it’s a two-way street. And that’s precisely the argument we want to use in our mission to bring nature back to the city: per square meter, it can earn you hundreds of euros annually.
Many companies and governments see landscaping as a cost. From a sustainability and climate adaptation perspective, they usually recognize the need for greening. They also often acknowledge that people need more nature in their environment. But when the financial aspect is raised, the question usually is: how much does it cost? Whereas landscaping can also yield a lot. In this blog post, we give you seven reasons why greening is an investment.
In recent years, climate issues have become increasingly noticeable. Dry periods are more severe and last longer. And when it rains, it often pours. In cities, water often has nowhere to go. Streets flood, and basements get waterlogged. Having more greenery around your buildings ensures that water can drain away and prevents water damage.
Landscaping provides insulation. By planting climbing plants against walls and creating green roofs, you reduce the need for air conditioning in summer and can lower the heating in winter. Indoor plants also significantly improve air quality. With indoor plants, you can create a manageable environment without needing expensive climate control systems to manage temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels artificially. It’s a step too often overlooked when sustainably renovating a building or developing new buildings. even when certifications like BREEAM and WELL are pursued in the process.
Numerous studies have shown that nature in the city encourages people to get out of their homes. In parks, people walk their dogs, play sports, and have picnics. At Blooming Buildings, we always ensure that the parks and city gardens we create are actually used. Moreover, on hot days, greening provides cooling, reducing the number of heat islands in public spaces that often deter people.
Relatively speaking, it wasn’t so long ago that we hunted in bearskins and gathered berries. Humans need nature. We require clean air, but also natural beauty. It makes us happy and helps us relax. Organizations that pay attention to landscaping have lower absenteeism rates. But it goes further: nature even has a healing effect. That’s why hospitals like the Radboudumc focus on green environments both inside and outside.
Finding good staff isn’t easy nowadays. An interesting job isn’t enough; the environment must also be inspiring. A green work environment quickly becomes a plus for (future) employees. Plants contribute to job satisfaction.
“Some interior designers believe that less is more. However, when it comes to office landscaping, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The more plants, the happier employees will be. And the more their productivity and creativity will increase. Researchers at the University of Exeter conducted a ten-year study on this and concluded that employees with a view of a plant from their workspace were 15% more productive than colleagues who did not.
Research has shown that people naturally (pun intended) choose places where biodiversity is high. Especially in areas with little nature (such as cities), people are willing to pay more. In several of our projects, we have observed that greening significantly reduces vacancy rates.
As of 2024, several organizations must comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) or begin the process to comply in the future. We are happy to advise on how landscaping fits into your ESG / CSRD strategy, for example, as part of your employees’ well-being.
It’s clear: green leads to figures. As far as we know, we’re the only landscaping specialist considering return on investment. For each project, we, together with our clients, determine the key performance indicators (KPIs). Whether it’s increasing productivity, solving vacancies, increasing store visits, or recruitment.
Would you like to know more? To take a closer look at our projects or delve deeper into our vision? Don’t hesitate to contact us and drop by at Bloemgracht. We’d be happy to help you calculate how much (even a little) greenery can benefit your organization.