Page 38 - Intra Muros October Issue 2024

ESTATE NEWS

Urban design As mentioned, maintenance is a primary reserve, other communal areas and my
Studies tend to point to six subjective element of aesthetically pleasing neighbours? If it does, hide it by using
urban design perceptions: neighbourhoods. Peeling paint, patchy and non-perishable screening that matches
NOTE: The percentage behind each uneven paintwork, cracking walls, all kinds the existing building’s architecture.
element is what some of these studies of visible extra attachments (old satellite
have found to be the individual impact on dishes, aircons, water tanks, generators), That is all the rules ask of you – common
Property Values. These numbers provide untidy and uninviting garden elements such sense.
a general range depending on the fully as rocks and walls on sidewalks, old cars,
developed element. trailers and caravans standing around do not Rules benefit us all
- Greenness – especially lawns and create that safe and aesthetically pleasing It is therefore important that all of us
trees, with features of coloured plants/ neighbourhood we all are stiving for. These consider the above factors when we think
flowers (3-15%) are some of the elements that the Silver Lakes of adding or rebuilding. We need to make
- Walkability – ease of use of the rules cover to create a friendly and inviting sure what we do does not have a negative
pavements, something we still must neighbourhood for us all. impact on our neighbours, the estate, on
work on (0.9-1.5%) our own enjoyment of the estate and on
- Street safety (traffic-calming Obviously, the rules cannot immediately our property value.
measures) – an integral part of the cover all angles and new additions. For
Silver Lakes lifestyle but needs to be example, 30 years ago we all needed satellite As mentioned above, the estate we are
enhanced by vehicle speed control dishes to watch TV. Not anymore; now there trying to create through the Rules are for
measures (5-20%) are new challenges such as solar panels and the benefit of us all!
- Imageability – perceived in one’s mind, water tanks to incorporate aesthetically into
the imaging of one’s environment (7- the design of our homes or to screen from In summary, streetscapes are a crucial
10%) view. factor in shaping the desirability of
- Enclosure – not only feeling safe neighbourhoods. By enhancing aesthetics,
within the walls of our estate, but also Using commonsense is the most important safety, and functionality, well-maintained
a well-defined pavement (5-20%) rule. As yourself: Does the implementation streetscapes contribute to the appreciation
- Complexity – more than one aesthetic of what I want to do on my stand impact of property values in urban areas.
element such as benches, dams, negatively on the properties around me
bridges (7-10%) – such as the street, golf course, game Enjoy our amazing estate.

36 | INTRAMUROS OCTOBER 2024