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The potential of undeveloped spaces In the contemporary townscape, we see new-build apartments and houses surrounded by green areas with consideration for ecology. The objective is to create a place where people can enjoy nature right in the middle of town. Peter Swyngedauw and Tompy Hoedelmans of the design agency OMGEVING have noticed a promising trend: “Undeveloped spaces are gaining more interest, which brings only advantages.”
Real estate developers increasingly see public spaces as essential parts of their designs. This contrasts sharply with fifteen years ago when they just planted a few trees here and there once their designs had been more or less completed. Today, undeveloped green spaces are considered almost equally important and are central from the project’s outset. “The fact that green public spaces are receiving more attention is a positive trend,” says Peter Swyngedauw, Spatial Planner at OMGEVING. “It enhances residential quality, adds balance to the environment, and creates attractive residential neighborhoods. It’s another example of where we see economics and ecology going hand in hand. Ecological parks are much more low-maintenance than manicured lawns. It’s a win-win situation for the towns and town councils. There are lower development and
