While aesthetically-pleasing eateries and public transportation stations seem to be on every corner, it’s much harder to find nature in the midst of a big city. Luckily, many developers are choosing to add urban green spaces to their commercial architecture projects, such as rooftop gardens, patios, and parks. Below are some of the ways these small additions can make a massive difference.

3 Benefits of Adding Urban Green Spaces to Commercial Architecture 

1. Increase Physical Movement 

If you’re working from nine to five, slumped over behind a desk, it’s crucial to find time to walk around, stretch your muscles, and get your blood flowing. Urban green spaces allow employees at every level to take a much-needed break and enjoy some physical activity. In addition to improving circulation and helping relieve back and neck pain, research suggests that such spaces could help prevent chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes.

2. Take a Mental Break

While there are many emotional stressors that could affect your mental health, it’s a scientific fact that a lack of Vitamin D is associated with depression. By heading out from under the fluorescent-lit workspace and enjoying time in a rooftop garden or community park, urban residents can bask in the sunshine, which the body converts into Vitamin D. Spending time in a green space can also help you reduce your stress and frustration, allowing you to recharge while taking a mental timeout.

3. Provide Environmental Aid

In addition to improving the lives of those living in an urban area, green spaces can improve the quality of the environment itself. For example, cities are known for having more polluted air than rural areas, but an abundance of green spaces could counteract this by producing more oxygen and absorbing more carbon dioxide.

By providing shade, releasing moisture into the air, and deflecting solar radiation, green spaces also reduce the urban heat island effect. This is the tendency of cities to be warmer than surrounding areas due to the denser population, which allows buildings to consume less energy on HVAC needs.