More than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and these cities are only getting larger. The consequence: nature is disappearing. Now that summers are getting hotter and drier, winters wetter, and rain showers more intense, it takes a toll. Among the stones, concrete, and asphalt, heat stress is greater; when it rains heavily, the water has nowhere to go, and after a long dry period, storms can cause trees to fall more easily. Moreover, biodiversity disappears in a stony environment. Insects stay away, causing birds and small mammals to vanish, disrupting the ecology.
The awareness that we, as a society and businesses, need to take serious action is growing rapidly. Legislation is helping to accelerate this movement, creating many opportunities. To make as much and as fast a positive impact as possible, Blooming Buildings specifically focuses on greening buildings (inside and out) in urban areas. We do this by literally replacing or supplementing gray stones with ‘Good Green.’ In other words, sustainable planting, highly diverse and of high quality, planted in healthy soil with year-round blooming.
Urban greening gives the stony world a more beautiful appearance, makes people happier, and helps solve climate problems. It fits well into an ESG (environment, social, and governance) strategy. Greening both inside and outside contributes to meeting the standards of the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). Besides, greening has direct positive financial consequences for real estate, shops, and offices. Scroll down to read more about these values, after the social and ecological values of green.
At Blooming Buildings, we see nature as a kind of magic wand that makes everything grow.
Urban Greening Makes Everything Grow: Nature has something magical. And it’s precisely this magic we use to make buildings and urban areas more sustainable. When done well, it brings much more.
Biodiversity Increases: We ensure an extraordinarily large variety of flowers, plants, and shrubs. Insects return almost immediately, attracting birds, and also small animals such as hedgehogs and toads.
Climate Adaptation Increases: Greening helps against heat stress, purifies the air, and improves water management. Hot days feel significantly less hot, and heavy rainstorms cause much less waterlogging.
Social Cohesion Grows: Greening makes buildings look much nicer. This is not only pleasant for individuals but also for the community. Green areas stimulate social interaction and make people care more about their environment.
People Live Healthier Lives: A green environment has a positive effect on the physical and mental health of the population. Nature purifies the air and provides relaxation. Greening helps you unwind and create a bit of space in the daily hustle and bustle.
Thus, a more sustainable environment contributes to increased livability and thereby to the happiness of the people who live and work there. More nature adds substantial value to existing buildings and urban areas, which also pays off financially.
Homes near parks are valued 20% higher. Office buildings with high-quality planting nearby have rental rates that are about 7% higher.
By greening facades and roofs, buildings gain natural insulation, making them cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This saves energy costs and promotes sustainability. Additionally, it prevents waterlogging during heavy rainstorms.
Visitors stay longer, return more often, and spend more money, especially in summer when people seek out cool areas. Interested in Green Buildings and wish to read more about what natural green can do for your property or real estate portfolio, read this article about BREEAM, WELL and the benefits of truly green buildings.
A green working environment positively impacts recruiting and retaining staff. It enhances creativity and productivity among employees, who also experience less stress. The result: less absenteeism. A more sustainable environment brings many benefits.