Designing for people: The hidden value of landscaping in residential developments

In the race to meet planning policies, manage rising construction costs, and create striking buildings, the landscape in residential developments is often an afterthought.

But it’s the outdoor spaces we experience, from the paths we walk, the gardens we pass and the courtyards where we bump into neighbours, that quietly shape how we feel about our homes.  A well-designed landscape does more than just soften the edges of a building, it can boost wellbeing, bring people together, and create a real sense of belonging.

This blog looks at the value of putting landscape design first and how doing this can enrich the lives of the people who live within it every day.

The Forgotten Element: Landscape as an Afterthought

At Outerspace, we make it a priority to engage with the local community early on, so their voices help shape the landscape before planning, ensuring that once built, it’s a place people feel proud to call home.

Outerspace thrives in landscape-led projects and always aim to be involved from the start, but in residential developments, that’s rarely the case.  Landscape Architects are often brought in late, after key design decisions have already been made.  By that point, coordination has happened, timelines are tight, and there’s little room to shape the landscape in a meaningful way before rushing into planning.  Too often, green spaces are still seen as a “nice to have” rather than a vital part of the design.

Then, when we are brought in early, the focus shifts; to meeting planning policies like urban greening factor, open space and play space requirements.  While these are important, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers and lose sight of the bigger picture.  The design itself; how it looks, feels, and functions day to day, can end up taking a back seat. We can end up chasing numbers instead of creating thoughtful, lasting landscapes. We forget that real people will one day live here and will experience these spaces every single day. What we design on paper becomes part of their real, everyday lives.

Why Landscape Matters: Beyond Aesthetics

Research shows that access to green spaces can reduce stress, improve mental health, and even lower the risk of depression and anxiety.  Biophilic design, which connects people with nature, plays a key role in supporting wellbeing by creating calming, restorative environments.  Beyond wellbeing, skilfully considered landscape design helps create a sense of community, belonging, and pride. Thoughtfully designed outdoor areas encourage play, recreation, and everyday interactions, helping to build stronger, more connected communities and promote social cohesion.

The Landscape I am going to discuss now is Stanmore Place.  This is not an Outerspace scheme, but rather a residential development local to me and therefore a landscape I experience on a personal level on a regular basis, which is what this blog is about.  In this landscape design takes centre stage, featuring lush tree lined streets, a central lake and green communal spaces throughout the development that encourage community cohesion and a strong sense of place.

Biodiversity and ecology blossom in the naturalistic landscape in Stanmore Place, generous greenery and mature trees give the area a resort-like feel with one resident saying, “I feel like I’m on holiday every day.”  The sound of water, birds and strategic planting create a calm, relaxing atmosphere, encouraging people to pause, sit, and socialise, helping to strengthen the sense of community.

Planting and trees play a vital role in supporting the environment, helping to boost biodiversity by increasing the variety of flora and fauna. As a practice, Outerspace aims to include a rich mix of plant and tree species in every project, not just to enhance visual appeal, but to create thriving, biodiverse landscapes that connect people with nature. Green spaces also help to cool urban environments, reducing the effects of the urban heat island by providing shade and comfort. Trees significantly improve air quality too, making neighbourhoods healthier, more enjoyable places to live and supporting the wellbeing of residents.

Shifting the Focus and Prioritising Landscape from the Start

Designing for people from the outset means putting the needs, experiences, and daily lives of future residents at the heart of the design process right from the beginning.  At Outerspace, we believe in asking questions throughout the design process:

• How will people move through this space?
• Where will they pause?
• Where will they play?
• Where will they meet others?
• Where will they find a quiet moment?
• How will they feel?
• What will they think?
• How can your designs be adapted so that future generations can still use the spaces, even when we do not know what they will be using them for.

It involves thinking beyond regulations, policies and aesthetics to create places that feel inclusive, comfortable and meaningful, places that support wellbeing, foster community, and genuinely improve quality of life. It also means listening to the people who will live there and shaping the design around how they want to live.

It’s not just residents who benefit from a good landscape design. Developers, clients, and designers gain from them too. Investing in quality landscape design, from the very beginning,  and focusing on long-term value, rather than short-term cost savings, can bring real returns. Thoughtful, high-quality outdoor spaces enhance the overall feel of a development and can increase the value of each home, supporting higher sale prices or rental income. Biodiverse, attractive landscapes also make developments stand out in a crowded market, helping to attract buyers and strengthen marketing. Award-winning designs boost reputation and create a lasting legacy that reflects well on both the client and the design team.

As the Landscape Institute puts it, we should be building homes, not just houses.

Our final thoughts

A good landscape design is not a luxury but a foundation for happy residents, a thriving community, and a lasting legacy. It creates spaces that people can connect to, feel proud of, and truly enjoy every day. In the end, investing in thoughtful landscape design, right from the very start, enriches the lives of those who live there and leaves a positive mark for years to come.

Wouldn’t you want to come home to a beautiful, welcoming landscape that enhances your life and wellbeing?

As a practice at Outerspace, we thrive on community engagement, listening to ideas, thoughts, and desires, while enhancing biodiversity in all our designs. We aim to connect people with nature through thoughtful landscape design and welcome every opportunity to do this as early as possible.

Written by: Karishma Ladva, Landscape Architect
Main image: Outerspace's Greenwich Square Project
All other images Karishma's own.