Imagine this: You are on PropSocial using the compare properties feature to decide between three properties to live in. All three meet your needs but are in different neighbourhoods. Semi-furnished, fully air-conditioned, within your budget and has enough sunlight for your plants. Now, two of them have convenience stores within walking distance and one does not. That one has an accessible public park instead.
Here’s the question, would you consider the one with the public park? We believe it’s worth considering. We asked our community what amenities they look for when house hunting. The survey presented some interesting results. The majority chose parks/nature which stood at a staggering 31% and was the highest voted amenity. Let’s paint a bigger picture with some surprising things to invoke some consideration when buying or renting a home. Here are a few things you might not have considered:
1. Inside the Community
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There are facts easily available about any neighbourhood on our portal. Ranging from the facilities to nearby restaurants. Although as future residents, wouldn't we want to know what a neighbourhood is like before we move in? Public parks can help us come to some assumptions.
The psychology of a neighbourhood is positively influenced by the quality and quantity of public parks in the area. Research examining the psychosocial dimensions of activities in parks has found that the urban green space strengthens city residents’ relationship with their community and themselves. It gives them a sense of purpose and connection with the community.
This means that public parks help people grow. With better people, comes a better community. This then poses the question, If public parks affect us as people so drastically, what else does it affect?
2. The Positive Effects on the Environment
We can assume that public parks do good things for the environment. In its essence, it’s space set aside for greenery and recreational activities. However, what comes next will surprise you.
Let’s use Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI) as a case study. TTDI is home to the world’s largest species of fireflies. Fireflies are apex predators (imagine sharks but shiny) which are creatures that can only exist when an environment has a thriving ecosystem. This means that the air quality, water quality, flora and fauna all have to be at a high standard in order for the fireflies to even exist.
TTDI is home to Kiara Public Park, Bukit Kiara hiking trails and a plethora of other public parks in each neighbourhood. With an environment so strong in its natural ecosystem, it’s obvious why our users give TTDI great reviews. A thriving natural environment is only a plus when choosing a place to live in. “But it’s not safe! There’s crime.”, you may yell while preparing dinner with a blunt knife.
3. Breaking the Safety Perception
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Vandalism, mugging, or rowdy groups are often a concern. While we had our doubts, there was no clear study on the effects of public parks on crime rates in Malaysia. Although international research shows a positive climb on the effects of parks against crime, there is no literature that gives us enough evidence.
However, we have found research on the negative perception of public parks in Malaysia. This is due to factors such as accessibility, maintenance and the overall quality (and maybe people who feed monkeys). This thinking creates low activity which gives way to bad activity. However, if a public park is used frequently by the neighbourhood, the maintenance increases and less shady activity takes place. In short, parks would be pretty chill if we used them more.
When you visit a public park, look at people who frequent it. If there’s an uncle selling bread or a regular football team, you are in luck! This means you can determine the quality of your future neighbourhood just by looking at the activities in its public parks. Also, don’t feed the monkeys is what we are trying to say. Speaking of little monkeys.
4. Do It for the kids
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In this ever-growing age of online classes and tablets, kids are easily accessing bite-sized dopamine rushes in the form of digital media. Recent studies also show that more Malaysians are contracting dry eye disease (DED) due to an increase in screen time during the movement control order (MCO). I know right (IKR).
Making a conscious choice of having accessible public parks in your neighbourhood will encourage children (and yourself) to spend more time in nature. Having these options will decrease the strain on their eyesight. The benefits it has on their psychological wellbeing is a worthy investment to consider.
Places like Desa ParkCity have a positive impact on children and due to it being a gated community, safety is not an issue either. Children get closer to nature and animals. They learn different physical skills like riding bicycles, skateboarding, or making crafts instead of Minecraft. Exposing children to different types of stimulation that are not digitally generated will expand their awareness of the physical world and their own selves.
Conclusion
Public parks are like the lungs of each neighbourhood. Where it gives us a place to breathe and becomes the life force for the rest of our neighbourhood. Public parks help people grow. Amazing people then start frequenting these parks. These parks grow in quality due to the demand from the people. The ecosystem forms synergy between itself and the people. The quality of your lungs is something that should be considered when deciding where to live. There are incredible places with exceptional public parks that you can view here:
Public parks help people grow. Amazing people then start frequenting these parks. These parks grow in quality due to the demand from the people. The ecosystem forms a synergy between itself and the people.
When you are considering a new home, do some investigating on its public parks. You can judge a neighbourhood by the people who frequent its public parks. It may help you thrive in life and introduce you to new amazing people. Lastly, please don’t feed the monkeys.
(Written by Christian Palencia, 2nd September 2021)