I have observed two neighbouring gardens close to apartment buildings in Lund. The gardens were planned identical from the start (in 1941). Differences in maintanance and use throughout the years affected the attractiveness of the areas in different ways.
The southern side of the western garden (to the left on the plan above) - the one that is less shady and is frequently used.
The southern side of the eastern garden (to the right on the plan above) - the one that has more shade and is less used by people.
The vegetation height and species composition affects the lenght of the sun presence in the garden throughout the day. When it is still partially sunny in the garden to the West, there is already a complete shade in the one to the East.
The northern side of the western garden (to the left on the plan above) - the one that is less shady and is frequently used.
The northern side of the eastern garden (to the right on the plan above) - the one that has more shade and is less used by people.
People transform spaces by using them!
The proper planing of a public green space can turn it into a more private one (with a feeling of privacy). Structures, objects in an area may divide it into sub-areas that affect the use of the space.
The garden to the East has not been used as much as the garden to the West, which has many more objects (like gardening boxes, jumping trampoline, tables, benches).
Furniture, objects and structures create sub-spaces within a space. This may lead to the feeling of more privacy and feeling of safety. The palce becomes more diverse and therefore more attractive for users (except for when large unoccupied spaces are needed for some special activities, like sports, for instance).
The garden to the East has not been used as much as the garden to the West, which has many more objects (like gardening boxes, jumping trampoline, tables, benches).
Furniture, objects and structures create sub-spaces within a space. This may lead to the feeling of more privacy and feeling of safety. The palce becomes more diverse and therefore more attractive for users (except for when large unoccupied spaces are needed for some special activities, like sports, for instance).
Green spaces outside housing may affect people inside as well.
Privacy
The distance, height and form of the trees (species are not studied here, but are also vital) may create more privacy inside the apartments (shielding from the view of the neighbouring buildings), while allowing sunshine to light the rooms throughout the day.
The distance, height and form of the trees (species are not studied here, but are also vital) may create more privacy inside the apartments (shielding from the view of the neighbouring buildings), while allowing sunshine to light the rooms throughout the day.
Darkness
On the contrary, the hight and size of the same trees shield the windows and balconies of the opposite building from the sun (so its is actually dark inside the opposite house). So it is important to take into account the distance of the high trees to both of the houses and their East-West location.
On the contrary, the hight and size of the same trees shield the windows and balconies of the opposite building from the sun (so its is actually dark inside the opposite house). So it is important to take into account the distance of the high trees to both of the houses and their East-West location.
Distance from houses to the line of tall trees
The distance from the house to the tree stem is 7-8 m,
to the tree crown is 5-6 m,
trees are the hight of the house or 2-8 m taller
=
More privacy inside the house + enough sunshine to keep it light inside.
to the tree crown is 5-6 m,
trees are the hight of the house or 2-8 m taller
=
More privacy inside the house + enough sunshine to keep it light inside.
However this position of the trees creates shade in the garden of the building 30 m to the East. So, there is a need to adjust the distance between the buildings.