Workplace wellbeing – growing evidence suggests that work breaks in green spaces significantly improve the wellbeing of workers. Dr Libby Sander at Bond Business School has found that just looking at a green space for 40 seconds – taking a micro-break – can reduce people’s stress levels, and lead to 50% better concentration and feelings of calm.
Foster social interactions – green spaces provide the physical locations for community participation, social cohesion and neighbourhood exchanges, and have been linked to promoting greater connectedness as well as reducing anti-social behaviour.
Boosting productivity – an extensive study by Harvard found that, in green-buildings, there is a 26% boost in cognition, and 30% fewer sickness-related absences. Respondents also reported a 6% rise in their sleep quality.
Improving sustainability – green spaces can help to reduce the urban heat island effect, making spaces cooler and a place of relief for the birds and bees. Melbourne based Rooftop Honey have been installing urban beehives on green rooftops to pollinate nearby plants and trees and improve the biodiversity of our cities. You can adopt a beehive through their website.
Supporting retail – there’s something about the colour green, people just seem to flock towards it. That’s certainly been our experience at 275 Kent Street where the new Urban Park has been a boon to businesses
For more examples of our work on green workplaces, click here.
