Modern Buyers Are Increasingly Choosing Residential Complexes with a Green Concept. Here’s Why

The more densely built the city districts, the poorer they tend to be in greenery. So it’s not surprising that buyers are increasingly choosing to buy an apartment in a residential complex that comes with a green yard and offers other eco-friendly recreational areas.

Maqro Development took this buyer interest into account when developing the new residential complex in Tbilisi using a green concept as the basis.

What Does a Green Concept Mean in Relation to a Residential Complex?

In the 21st century, with cities growing fast and high-rise density rising, it’s no longer enough to design just a comfortable residential complex or an efficient apartment layout. Other things have gradually come to matter almost just as much: what the courtyard looks like, how much of the surrounding territory the project allocates to green, recreational, and open spaces, how energy-efficient the building itself is, etc.

These demands are the basis for the so-called green concept. It calls for the designers and architects to plan the grounds of a residential complex taking into account a certain level of comfort in residents' daily lives. The extent of the greenery, the recreational and sports zones, the pedestrian areas, and the placement of the blocks are all supposed to be determined during the initial design process. What territory is left between buildings should go to leisure, strolling, and all sorts of similar relaxing activities.

The concept also means a car-free courtyard. Parking mostly goes underground or around the perimeter of the complex, so that the inner courtyard is completely safe to get around on foot, cycle, and for children to play and rest.

A green concept isn't only about the courtyard. It includes other, more technical aspects, such as the building's energy efficiency. A thermally insulated facade, sturdy doors and windows help with holding warmth in winter, and keeping the cool in summer.

Why Have Green Spaces Become a Point of Interest in Tbilisi?

Georgia’s capital has grown at a rapid pace in the last several years, and with increased construction to accommodate the population, the green zones have noticeably shrunk. According to existing statistics, Tbilisi has less than 3 square meters of green spaces, such as parks or squares, per resident. The World Health Organization recommends that figure be at least 9.

The number of cars in Tbilisi also increases year after year, with traffic being one of the main sources of air pollution. So now the city has a worsening air-quality problem on its hands too. In a setting like that, building apartments in Tbilisi using a green concept has started to matter a great deal more than even half a decade ago. Green concept isn’t just about comfort, it means overall higher quality of life, as trees and plants trap dust particles, add moisture to the air, and cool things down on scorching summer days.

How Does a Green Environment Affect Quality of Life?

Plenty of studies from recent years show that higher plant cover positively affects sleep quality, emotional state, and daily habits.

A large-scale Australian study is one of the most solid illustrations we’ve gotten. It found that among people, whose homes are surrounded by at least 30% greenery, chronic sleep deprivation is roughly a third less common. Part of the reason is that plant cover impedes noise, air pollution, and the brunt of summer heat - the very things that get in the way of a good night's sleep.

Mental health shows the same pattern. Analysis of a nationwide survey in South Korea found that as green spaces around the home increase, the risk of depressive symptoms drops. The researchers reckon that time spent in a natural setting helps take the edge off stress, and that having green spaces close by nudges people to get out for walks and see one another more often.

The benefits of green spaces turn up in having a sharper focus, too. Researchers from Harvard and Boston universities went through data from more than 13,000 participants and found that people living in greener districts scored better on tests of attention and thinking speed. The gap shaves off roughly about a year off the cognitive age.

Here's the interesting part: the results were the same for densely populated districts. So to get a payoff from being surrounded by greenery you don’t necessarily need to live outside the city. Even regular apartments in Tbilisi that have large green courtyards have a clear edge over the ones that don’t when it comes to quality of life.

Does Such an Apartment Hold its Investment Appeal Over the Long term?

From a purely analytical standpoint, demand runs higher for projects with a well-kept courtyard, green recreational spaces, and sound infrastructure. That kind of setting increases an apartment's investment appeal as well, since renting it out is fairly easy, and selling it, should the need arise, is less of a headache.

Energy efficiency plays a larger part in an apartment's investment potential than ever before. The energy-efficient buildings that meet international standards, are safer for people's health, and cost less to run in the long run, can turn a purchase into a bargain.

What “Green Concept” Means at Maqro City Tbilisi 

A green living environment is nothing new for Maqro Development's projects. In Tbilisi the company has already successfully delivered two projects - Green Budapest and Green Diamond - where green courtyards and eco-friendly recreational spaces were prominent parts of the design. Maqro City Tbilisi is designed using the same concept, only on a far larger scale.

The project territory on the Noah Ramishvili Street is roughly 100,000 sq.m and almost half of that, 45,169 sq.m, is allocated for green spaces and recreational zones. Project deliverables include:

• 1,687 sq.m of cycling and running tracks;

• four swimming pools;

• three tennis courts;

• two basketball courts;

• open-air and indoor fitness spaces;

• a kindergarten;

• playgrounds.
  

The infrastructure was specifically designed to provide almost everything its residents might need to comfortably rest, stroll around, and exercise without ever having to leave the complex area.

Aside from the recreational and sports spaces, the project also takes into account the need for energy-efficiency. The buildings are designed to be economical with energy use and the buyers receive the move-in ready apartments, each equipped with central and underfloor heating.

Anyone interested in learning more about Maqro City Tbilisi can visit the sales office or tour the apartments through a virtual walkthrough.