Health-conscious UAE residents demand wellness living

The incorporation of green spaces provides residents with a place to relax and socialise.

With healthcare taking a top spot in the UAE National Agenda for 2021, we are witnessing a surge in health awareness campaigns ranging from diabetes runs to heart monitoring set-ups in malls. Public entities are working closer than ever with the private sector in the UAE on initiatives in healthcare to raise awareness of predominant illnesses and to raise the profile of the UAE as a global leader in healthcare.

With such initiatives in high visibility across the nation, UAE residents are becoming more conscious about their health, resulting in growing demand for healthier dining options, more fitness amenities and advanced healthcare facilities. Many industries are quickly responding to these demands.

However, residents are looking for other ways to be healthy, paving the way for a golden opportunity in the real estate sector to differentiate property offerings in communities where a healthy lifestyle is possible and encouraged.

Real estate projects placing an emphasis on wellness improve the quality of life for residents, which results in happier and more productive members of a society while increasing potential revenue margins for developers. In fact, walkability alone is currently a key consideration for many home buyers or renters looking for ease of access to amenities. However, a wellness-oriented property model must go beyond walkability to meet changing customer demands in all dimensions of wellness.

Four dimensions of wellness
Social wellness: The ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers contributes to our social wellness.

Spiritual wellness: The ability to establish peace and harmony in our lives. Developing congruency between values and actions and recognising a common purpose that binds creation contributes to our spiritual wellness.

Environmental wellness: The ability to appreciate clean air, water and land surrounding us. Being able to make a positive impact on the quality of our environment, be it our homes, our communities or our planet contributes to our environmental wellness.

Physical wellness: The ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle without undue physical stress. Adopting healthful habits (routine check-ups, a balanced diet, exercise, etc.) while avoiding harmful habits will lead to optimal physical wellness.

Elements of a wellness project
Green spaces: Although green space may take up valuable land that could otherwise be sold by developers as property, the benefits of urban areas are difficult to overlook. The incorporation of green spaces provides residents with a place to relax and socialise and has proven to reduce stress and depression levels. Green areas are also important for the environment as they increase oxygen levels in the air, reduce pollutants and can lower temperatures.

Fitness facilities: Residents have different preferences for staying fit. Some like to swim, others prefer outdoor cycling or running, and in the hotter months, indoor fitness facilities will be much appreciated. Offering a range of fitness facilities will improve the quality of life for residents but it can also be costly. To ensure sustainability, developers can incorporate communal maintenance fees or usage fees that can go towards maintaining the facilities or purchasing new equipment.

Children's playgrounds: Encouraging an active lifestyle must start at a very young age. Dedicated areas for child play with fun playground equipment will encourage kids to play outside, meet other children in the neighbourhood and reduce screen time at home.

Healthy food outlets: People leading a healthy lifestyle need to get healthy food. When developing a wellness-oriented community, developers should consider the catering options that are available nearby and supermarket offerings.

Pet-friendly areas: While having pets can be an important lifestyle element in many families, it is important to keep in mind residents who may be sensitive to animals. To create a delicate balance, it is best to create a dedicated area for pets.

Although investing in a wellness-based community can seem financially straining, it can be more profitable for developers if managed efficiently. As residents become more health-conscious, they are looking for homes that can accommodate a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families. This will, no doubt, increase demand for property in wellness-based communities, making such developments attractive for both investors and buyers alike. Of course, communities that thoughtfully incorporate all dimensions of wellness will inevitably be placed in a better position for success.

The writer is founder and CEO of Swiss Property. Views expressed are his own and do not reflect the newspaper's policy.