Why is open space important?

L’open space représente l’un des rouges d’une démarche visant à améliorer la communication et l’esprit d’équipe dans une entreprise. L’aspect économique est également très avantageux. Les open spaces contribuent à diminuer ce fonctionnement obsolète en permettant : la fin de l’organisation en silos ; le fonctionnement en mode projet ; une collaboration globale des salariés. Cette proximité entre les employés apporte très souvent un gain de temps, évite les incompréhensions et renforce l’esprit d’équipe. Lorsque la stratégie managériale tend vers cela, travailler en open space favorise la cohésion de groupe et fait prendre conscience à chaque salarié qu’il œuvre dans le même but que son collègue. Travailler côte à côte, littéralement, encourage à ne pas baisser les bras, à rester concentrer et à donner le meilleur de soi. Lorsque les bureaux sont organisés en open space, cela représente un gain important en termes de superficie. Pour un nombre de salariés équivalent, la superficie nécessaire sera moindre puisqu’il n’y a plus de cloisons. Même en prévoyant une salle de repos et une salle de conférence supplémentaire, recommandé dans une organisation en open space, le nombre de mètres carrés reste avantageux, ce qui est un atout de taille!

Open spaces are areas for recreation, but they can also be social spaces for people to gather, meet, play, and talk. Urban green spaces are good for the environment, facilitate physical exercise and better mental health for city residents, and help create a sense of community in a city. Exercise has great mental and physical health benefits. Open spaces also boost a sense of well being by providing calm places to stop and think without the city noise and hustle, bustle. This helps reduce stress by providing a respite from the city. That’s a good thing for many reasons, as we take a look below. It’s been proven that trees improve air quality by adding oxygen and removing pollutants. In addition, green spaces with less pavement have a cooling effect, reducing city temperatures in the summer. Not only does this cool down humid summers, but saves energy costs to cool buildings. Another environmental benefit to open space, particularly green space, is help with stormwater runoff. Unpaved ground absorbs water, aiding in water collection during storms and helping to prevent flooding. These spaces encourage people to walk and exercise by providing places for physical activities – whether organized or spontaneous. This is especially important for city residents who cannot afford gym memberships or exercise classes. These places cause people to interact with others in the community, whether via an organized event or activity or just because they are places where people gather. This benefits adults and children by providing a sense of community as people get to know others in their neighborhood. The plan envisions the creation of an Open Space Committee to develop a Parks, Open Space, Trails, and Recreation System Plan, giving direction for and priority to the City’s open spaces, such as, completing the Norwalk River Valley Trail. This new plan would also identify opportunities in areas of Norwalk where this is little open space to ensure that all residents can walk or bike to a park or green space.

Open space is not empty space. It is a valuable contribution to quality of life, health and the local economy. Open spaces provide vital green infrastructure benefits such as mitigating climate change, flood alleviation, and ecosystem services. Regardless of demographics, access to open space, whether it be a large country park or a local kick-about area, is demonstrably positive for both physical and mental health. Open spaces have many benefits; they can be communal, yet also offer a chance to enjoy some peace and quiet. They provide opportunities for formal or informal sport, bringing about a feeling of friendship and togetherness. The spirit and pride of individual communities make neighbourhood open spaces the focus of local celebration. They can also present opportunities for water harvesting and community food growing, all of which are increasingly on the public’s agenda – especially for children and young people. The provision of these facilities in our cities, towns and villages is very important to a sustainable future and embeds in national planning policy.