Greenery as added value: underestimated functions of greenery in the design of housing estates in Poland

Abstract Observations of the spaces of housing estates abroad and in Poland contributed to the topic of greenery design in such spaces. In the design of contemporary housing estates in Poland, greenery is treated as a complement to the development, a biologically active area, or a requirement that must be met before the project is implemented. This work’s aim is to draw attention to the underestimated functions of greenery in the design of Polish housing estates related to its social and behavioural significance. In line with sustainable architecture principles, the current patterns in greenery planting methods used in housing estates should be changed towards biodiversity. Through the analysis of greenery in housing estates in Poland and abroad, the positive and negative aspects of the solutions used were identified and preliminary criteria for assessing the effectiveness of greenery use in housing estates were developed.