NZGBC’s Post

Sectional Title: The Power of Shared Living Imagine owning a stylish apartment in a bustling city or a cosy townhouse in a gated community. That’s sectional title living. In this setup, your property is part of a larger complex or building, and you own an individual unit within it. This means you’re part of a community where common areas, maintenance, and amenities are shared. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Shared Amenities and Responsibilities: With sectional title ownership, you enjoy access to communal facilities like swimming pools, gardens, and security systems. These are maintained by a homeowners’ association (HOA) or body corporate, lightening your load of maintenance duties. 2. Levies and Rules: Sectional title living involves contributing to the upkeep of common areas through levies or fees paid to the HOA. Keep in mind, though, that rules and regulations set by the HOA are part of the package. These can cover anything from pet policies to noise restrictions. 3. Community Vibe: Living in a shared environment can foster a sense of community. You’ll have neighbours nearby, and it’s common to cross paths in shared spaces. But, remember, communal living might also mean adhering to communal decisions. Purchasers guide: https://bit.ly/47YPjVD Pre-qualification link: https://bit.ly/3FEB37h

Urban regeneration is a complex process, laden with social and physical challenges, stakeholders, politics, predictions, risks, gambles and inequalities. It is never finished, rarely fully defined, often in a permanent state of flux and defies most other forms of planning and development logic. It is as messy as it is beautiful. It is not defined by expensive materials, or by elegant facades crafted in hermetically sealed prefabrication factories. It defies architects representations, visuals and often plans have little meaning. It is careful, exploratory, negotiated and resilient through its continual adaptability. Done badly it is catastrophic to the delicate social-economic and cultural ecology, it can easily create division, exclusion and conflict. When driven largely by profiteering or rushed it is almost impossible to avoid the negative implications of gentrification. Places like Ximen street neighbourhood in Qujing city, Yunnan province have hundreds of years of accrued history, layers of negotiated and often informal territory that is impossible to plan or define ownership, therefore any attempt to explore regeneration must be slow, and must be negotiated with many people, not just the wealthy or the ‘decision makers.’ The local voices are the investors, they invest their everyday lives into the urban fabric, they have shaped it as it has shaped them. This little clip shows our first phase of a long long relationship with the local people, just a simple improvement to a couple of the key roads, improving walkability, introducing clean water, drainage, new communications infrastructure, power and energy. Plus some opportunities for greening and adaptation. In the 3 years we have been working with this community we have met hundreds of local people, craftsmen and women, carpenters, potters, health workers, shop owners, restauranters, painters, photographers, bar owners, farmers, fortune tellers, Chinese medicine practitioners.. we know their names and they know ours. We are invited for tea or a chat whenever we travel. This bond is critical for urbanists.. these people are experts, councillors and participants, our job is to listen, mediate, facilitate and negotiate. Since the completion of our first phase the neighbourhood has taken on a new lease of life, many new start ups, social media influencers, families and social groups are using the area and its facilities. Rent has not increased but has diversified and densified, local people are not being priced out but attracted in. It’s beautiful to see. My next trip is in July and I am very excited to catch up with this amazing community. Architects are more than agents of capital, and are more than shapers of artifacts. We find meaning in many places. For me ximen st comes pretty close to that utopian project we are subconsciously searching for. I’ll probably write about this one day… when I’ve finished my sodding DIY 😂 and beaten the slugs off my veggies. #urbanregeneration

We are thinking about Rentvesting into a more affluent areas. Some of our reasons: 1. I hear this quote often in the personal development space, we are the average of the 5 people we mostly spend time with. 2. We have 2 boys an almost 4 year old and 9 month old, we’d want an environment that they are mostly likely to do well in life ( to help them discover their passion and purpose ) 3. A great community and I love a great coffee (on average it seems like coffees taste better in more affluent areas, with some exceptions ) Circling back to the video I made, green gardens is a factor in starting to consider, especially after recently travelling to Europe for 6 week and being inspired by the greenery over there. Whats the value to residence of having green established trees, plants and lawns? Value to Residents: (source Chat GPT) 1. Enhanced Property Values: Greenery, especially mature trees and well-landscaped gardens, is known to increase property values. Studies show that homes surrounded by trees and gardens are seen as more desirable and often sell for higher prices. 2. Improved Well-Being: Green spaces contribute to the physical and mental well-being of residents. Access to greenery can reduce stress, improve air quality, and encourage outdoor activities, promoting a healthier lifestyle. 3. Aesthetic Appeal: The beauty of tree-lined streets and well-kept gardens adds to the suburb’s charm, attracting residents who value high-quality living environments and scenic views. 4. Environmental Benefits: The greenery provides crucial environmental services, such as reducing heat, sequestering carbon, supporting biodiversity, and improving the area’s overall air quality. Established trees also help with water retention and reducing urban heat island effects, which are increasingly important in urban planning. 5. Community Prestige: Toorak’s greenery is part of its identity as an exclusive, luxurious neighborhood. Maintaining these landscapes contributes to the suburb’s reputation, which attracts high-profile residents and supports the area’s status as a top-tier residential location. In summary, the well-established greenery in Toorak offers environmental, aesthetic, financial, and health-related benefits, making it a valuable asset to the community.

Social Housing: A Beacon of Hope and Imagination Social housing has long been a contentious topic, often associated with drab, uninspiring structures that fail to capture the essence of community living. However, a new wave of architects and designers is challenging this perception, proving that social housing can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among residents. READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/gjXYdxih

https://lnkd.in/dKctkBmT (Summary from AI next: Key Takeaways: Micro-greening is crucial for low-income urban areas: These small-scale greening initiatives help address the lack of open spaces in cities, enhancing biodiversity and overall well-being. Five key opportunities for micro-greening:Along existing infrastructure: Utilize neglected spaces under flyovers or alongside roads for urban farming and planting. Roofs and walls: Greening roofs and walls creates heat-resilient barriers, lowering indoor temperatures and improving energy efficiency. Private balconies and courtyards: Encourage residents to utilize these spaces for plants, contributing to a cooler, healthier environment. Community gardens: Transform vacant lots into shared green spaces for food production, community building, and improved air quality. Street chowks (intersections): Greening these gathering spaces provides aesthetic relief and environmental benefits. Key Insights: Accessibility and Affordability: Micro-greening is cost-effective and resource-efficient, making it accessible to low-income communities. Community Engagement: Success depends on empowering residents to take ownership of these greening initiatives. Multiple Benefits: Micro-greening improves air quality, reduces heat stress, supports biodiversity, promotes food security, and strengthens community bonds.)

Earlier in the week, Rowena Statt - our Research and Development Director - took part in an event focused on accessible and adaptable housing - 'HAPPI Hour / Housing LIN Scotland presents... Showcasing Innovation and Good Practice'. This was a fantastic opportunity to share about some of our own housing while learning about other projects and initiatives throughout Scotland which are making a positive impact on people and communities. If you missed out on the event but would like to find out more, you can tune in through the link below! https://lnkd.in/eTMQ6eJu - Projects Featured: The Gannochy Trust Lifetime Neighbourhood A housing needs survey highlighted an older population living in hard to adapt family homes or stand-alone sheltered housing (around 60% of households were over 55) and fewer young families. To address this imbalance, the new housing neighbourhood is designed to support an intergenerational community which nurtures a sense of 'ageing well' a sociable community which offers residents an environment which is empowering, accessible, inclusive and safe. Fernan Street This development provides 29 amenity flats for an older tenant group. Four flats are fully wheelchair accessible and all of the homes incorporate a number of design features intended to enhance the quality of life of the residents in the development. All homes in the development surround a common courtyard which offers a space for residents to share. Residents in the ground floor flats also enjoy a private terrace area with raised planting beds, which have been built at a height that makes them convenient for residents to plant and work at. Creveul Court Situated in the town centre of Alexandria in the Vale of Leven, the development is West Dunbartonshire Council’s first project to incorporate Dementia Friendly Design. Internally, each floor has its distinctive coloured doors, signage, and tiles, while externally, all three blocks have a visual connection to the community garden, helping to create a sense of community and security. Many studies have highlighted that gardening is a very effective way of tackling loneliness and social isolation. Using Community Benefit funding, we engaged with the Leamy Foundation, a local community gardening group to maintain the community orchard and develop a gardening programme with the tenants. #HAPPIHour #Accessible #Housing Photographs: Keith Hunter (01 and 03), Patrick Jameson (02)

Can better design in multi-unit developments bring us closer as neighbors? 🏢 In Metro Vancouver, as density increases, experts are looking at how small design tweaks can boost social interactions and reduce isolation. Simple changes like benches in courtyards, shared bike storage, or community nooks encourage people to stop and chat. Cities like North Vancouver and Port Moody are already adopting guidelines that promote more social spaces in new developments. According to Happy Cities, a Vancouver urban planning firm, building connections doesn’t need to raise costs significantly. By focusing on smaller, high-traffic areas—like a dog-washing station near the bike room—residents can naturally connect. Developers are starting to see the benefits of these features, which could soon become the norm. It’s not just about creating efficient spaces anymore but fostering meaningful community interactions. What changes would you like to see in your building to create a stronger sense of community? Let’s share ideas! 👇 For more information read: https://lnkd.in/gtHe42Nb

Last week I had the pleasure of doing my first in-depth tour of Nightingale Village. This is perhaps the most ambitious and inspiring housing project in the country. Nightingale Village is delivering exactly the kinds of housing that Australian cities need right now. Nightingale apartments so close to a train station the two almost touch. As a result, they are largely car free, except for a couple of share cars. But there’s lots of secure, undercover spaces for you bikes (and charging for your e-bike). The buildings are of a moderate density, typically of 6-9 floors high, and all are energy efficient (at least 7.5 stars), gas free, 100% electric with renewable energy - housing that’s cheaper to run. They’re more affordable to buy too, with apartments largely sold at cost and because of clever innovations like a shared rooftop laundry (meaning that not every apartment needs their own), and clever, compact apartment sizes of 65-85 m2, further bringing the purchase down. The shared rooftop laundry sits alongside shared community garden beds, an electric BBQ, and shared garden spaces to hangout in, all with a view of the city. In doing so Nightingale deliberately designs in community. This is a radical idea in our society where our predominantly car-dependent housing, with its automated garage doors and uninhabitable front yards, designs out spontaneous community interaction. Nightingale aims to create communities of 25 to 40 apartments. The right size for people to get to know and trust each other. One innovation I thought that was really clever was the inclusion of a shared guest house as part of each development. While building the guest studio added an extra cost of just over $4000 to each apartment, it saved them all tens of thousands of dollars each if they had to each have an extra bedroom for a guest. The shared guest house is rented by the body corporate very cheaply at around $50 a night which covers all the costs but makes it very affordable for friend and family of residents to stay in. This is an inspiring Nightingale model, like all apartment in Australia, being challenged by higher building costs for apartments. I am keen to see how governments can help overcome this. Perhaps by focusing the Help to Build shared equity scheme on projects like this. With the right support I hope that Nightingale can become a major form of housing across Australia, offering sustainable, affordable, community enabling living in the right location. How good would that be!

What are the advantages of modular homes over traditional construction methods? 🤔 At Mod.Homes, we're passionate about these benefits and specialize in delivering them.🚚 🛠️ Modular homes offer faster build times, cost-effectiveness, and a reduced environmental impact compared to traditional builds. 🌿 They're not just homes; they're versatile, sustainable options that can transform your living or working space. 🏘️ Whether you're thinking of a backyard office, expanding residential space, or investing in community development, modular homes can provide a flexible solution. The sky is the limit! ☁️ Let's start on your next home project together.👷♂️ #ModHomes #ModularHomes #SustainableLiving #FlexxCube #EducationalContent #Innovation

Public spaces play a crucial role in the social and economic vitality of communities. As urban areas continue to grow and evolve, the importance of well-designed public spaces becomes increasingly apparent. Read more below: https://lnkd.in/dATntMZH #winstonfield #article #CommunityLiving #publicspaces #living