GREEN DEVELOPMENT
Gulf Hotel photographs courtesy of Gulf Hotel
HAREESH NAIR, PROPERTY MANAGER, ROYAL AMBASSADOR, REFLECTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS – AND SUGGESTS VEGETABLE GARDENS IN DEVELOPMENTS AS A WAY TO ADD VALUE
64 AH MARCH 2018
Contributor
you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need,” wrote Cicero. Living in cities, apartment buildings, anywhere in the “concrete jungle”, little is more pleasant than a touch of nature to bring you peace and harmony and help keep your feet on the ground. The seasons are not within in our control, but the ability to connect to nature certainly is. The easiest way to connect to nature is through a garden. Whether it’s at your villa, in your residential building or wherever you happen to be at any moment in time – being surrounded by the beauty of healthy plants is always a good feeling. Most high-end residences today have great “value-added living” facilities and features, and clever developers know that having attractively landscaped gardens that are well maintained is a draw card for residents and tenants. There is an old saying that, “Plants are the lungs of earth and flowers are the smile of nature”. Spending even few minutes a day in the presence of plants and flowers tends to enhance the day and lift one’s spirit. A luscious garden environment enhances the closeness of family and introduces children to the wonders of nature; and immersing oneself in the beauty and tranquillity of a green garden environment has also been shown to improve physical and psychological health.
FROM DRAWING BOARD TO GROUND Gardens generally begin with concept planning and, in the case of indoor or outdoor developments, normally at the drawing table of an engineer or architect who sketches the concept, vision and ideas of the developer on to paper. After that, the garden/naturalisation plan starts to unfold into reality – just like a beautiful painting on canvas. Gardens should not only be designed for beautification, but to introduce good Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art and science of good feeling and promoting comfort
ALL PICTURES Examples of attractive landscaping in Bahrain include that at Fontana Gardens (top left, middle right and below right) and at the Gulf Hotel (remaining pictures)
developed over 3,000 years ago, as well as being an incentive to each resident or owner to engage with the space. Just sitting and relaxing in a garden is often enough to relieve stress and provide serenity. Clever developers have learnt that there is no substitute for the advice and experience of local horticulturists and plant nursery owners. A great garden is ever changing and therefore requires input from expert horticulturists/ gardening experts on the types of plants and flowers to be introduced, the right types of soil, nutrients and – especially vital – irrigation in our harsh, desert conditions.
ADDING VALUE WITH VEGETABLES Most hotels and high-end residential buildings in Bahrain include traditional landscaping elements alongside flowers, shrubs and succulents. However, creating a vegetable garden can be an exciting experience and journey for employees, staff and residents alike. A simple flower or vegetable garden can enhance the immediate living environment significantly and play an enlightening role in everybody’s development. In Bahrain’s residential apartments and hotels, it is not common to see vegetables being cultivated, despite the fact that some vegetables are almost as visually appealing as shrubs and flowers. However, there is nothing like homegrown, freshly picked vegetables presented within minutes of picking, with limited handling and transport, which is a known source of origin with regard to pesticides, insecticides and cleanliness. Vegetable growing in residential developments, hotels and many compounds is not normal practice yet, but as time evolves, conscientious developers, managers, residents and tenants will find that doing this adds value to their brands and is a welcome addition to the concept of living harmoniously with nature – going “green” and saving the planet. There are many reputable plant nurseries which can cater to the needs of general gardening and vegetable growing in Bahrain, whether it be for a villa, residential apartment, a development complex or even a hotel.
“A GARDEN IS A GRAND TEACHER. IT TEACHES PATIENCE AND CAREFUL WATCHFULNESS; IT TEACHES INDUSTRY AND THRIFT; ABOVE ALL IT TEACHES ENTIRE TRUST”
GERTRUDE JEKYLL
MARCH 2018 AH 65