Wouldn’t it be great if there was no such thing as rush hour, and no need for a daily commute? You could walk to work because it’s close and safe enough to do so, and all you’d need to start your day, would be a good internet connection. A small minority of people can do this already, but for most of us it’s wishful thinking. And yet, we increasingly have the choice, thanks to the New Urban precincts of the 21st century.
New Urbanism
New Urbanism is a global trend related to how people live in cities across the world. It’s a response to urban sprawl, long hours of commuting, traffic congestion, soaring fuel costs, pollution and other negative elements of modern life.
Moving to a New Urban precinct is one of the best ways to change the way you work and improve your life for the better. New developments like One on Whiteley, the latest addition to South Africa’s favourite mixed-use precinct of Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, makes this lifestyle accessible to more people. By offering compact and affordable living spaces, with daily needs taken care of within a five-minute walk, living here means exceptionally high quality of life.
There are upmarket apartments, fantastic shops and great restaurants, beautiful public spaces and areas of greenery, hotels, health clubs and more – all just a few minutes’ walk away. Fast, reliable connectivity means you can work from anywhere, conduct your business meetings in a choice of settings, and meet friends for a quick coffee or a bite to eat whenever it suits you.
It’s easy to see that living where you work makes sense and why this lifestyle has become so sought-after. Other benefits include:
- Peace of mind that your safety and security is taken care of 24/7.
- Beautiful surroundings thanks to a professionally managed and impeccably maintained precinct.
- A less sedentary lifestyle because you’re getting out and moving around more.
- Exposure to fresh air and sunlight, instead of sitting in a fluorescently lit office for most of the day.
- Mental and creative stimulation because you can choose to work in different places.
- Blanket wi-fi coverage and fast, reliable fibre that enables “telecommuting” – connecting with colleagues via video call functionality like Skype or Facetime, instead of a regular commute that would involve driving, fuel, time, stress and fatigue.
- Taking charge of distractions by choosing when to take breaks or have lunch, take the dog for a walk or stroll around the block to clear your head before diving back into what you were doing.
- Being able to exercise when and where you want to, including outdoors – walking, running or cycling – instead of in the air-conditioned confines of a gym.
It’s important to distinguish between working close to home and working from home. The latter isn’t for everyone. It can be isolating, it requires space and could therefore reduce your living area, you need a lot of self-discipline to stay focused and productive, and the boundaries between work and home could easily blur. But as we’ve seen, working close to home is another matter entirely. There are clear benefits and it has the potential to increase your quality of life exponentially.
What are you waiting for?!
