What Norway's Friluftsliv Can Teach Us About the Value of Green Spaces

The expansive landscaped area at Alder Residences in Acacia Estates, Taguig encourages outdoor living, supporting relaxation, recreation, and overall well-being.

Norway's consistent place among the world's happiest countries has long intrigued researchers and travelers alike. While its high quality of life is often linked to strong social support systems and economic prosperity, many observers believe the country's close relationship with nature also plays an important role. 

 

In Norway, this connection is reflected in friluftsliv, a cultural concept often translated as "open-air living." According to Visit Norway, friluftsliv encourages people to spend time outdoors and make nature a meaningful part of everyday life. More than a leisure activity, it is a philosophy that has shaped how generations of Norwegians relax, recharge, and connect with their surroundings. 

 

Rather than focusing on adventure or athletic achievement, friluftsliv values simple outdoor experiences. A walk through a park, a picnic with family, or even a quiet moment spent appreciating nature can embody the spirit of the practice. At its heart is the belief that regular interaction with the natural environment can contribute to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. 

The verdant open spaces of Verawood Residences in Acacia Estates, Taguig highlight the value of integrating nature into residential communities, creating a healthier and more balanced living environment.

While the concept originated in Norway, its message is just as relevant in urban communities around the world. As cities continue to grow and become more densely populated, access to green spaces has become increasingly important. Parks, gardens, open lawns, and tree-lined walkways provide opportunities to step away from the pressures of daily life, stay active, and enjoy a stronger connection with nature. 

 

The benefits extend well beyond recreation. A 2016 report by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe linked urban green spaces to reduced stress, improved mental well-being, increased physical activity, and stronger social cohesion. The report also associated access to greenery with better cardiovascular health, lower risks of obesity, and healthier lifestyles overall. 

 

The same report noted that green spaces help make cities more livable by lowering temperatures, filtering air pollutants, and reducing noise. They also create opportunities for people to interact with their neighbors, fostering stronger communities and a greater sense of belonging. 

 

These findings reinforce what many residents intuitively know: access to nature can make a meaningful difference in everyday life. As urban areas become denser, thoughtfully designed green spaces are no longer viewed as mere aesthetic features but as essential elements of healthy and livable communities. 

Surrounded by landscaped gardens and open spaces, Asteria Residences offers a natural sanctuary amid the bustle of urban living in Parañaque.

This growing emphasis on nature-centered living is reflected in the way DMCI Homes designs its communities. Across its residential developments, the company has established 47 hectares of landscaped areas, nearly twice the size of the Quezon Memorial Circle national park in Quezon City. Rather than treating landscaping as an afterthought, DMCI Homes integrates gardens, activity lawns, open spaces, and outdoor amenities into the overall living experience. 

 

Supporting this vision is DMCI Homes’ Concepts and Landscape Management Team—in-house group of landscape architects, architects, horticulturists, and landscape specialists responsible for designing, developing, and enhancing the company's outdoor environments. DMCI Homes also operates its own nursery facilities, cultivating thousands of plants that eventually find their place in its residential communities. 

 

The connection to nature extends beyond outdoor spaces. Through its proprietary Lumiventt® Design Technology, DMCI Homes incorporates design features such as landscaped atriums, sky patios, and breezeways that allow natural light and fresh air to move freely throughout its buildings. These elements help create bright, airy spaces that evoke the feeling of being outdoors, enabling residents to enjoy a greater sense of openness and connection with nature even while indoors. 

 

This commitment to greenery has been evident throughout the company's developments. Royal Palm Residences in Acacia Estates, Taguig City, for instance, pioneered the inclusion of a full hectare of open spaces alongside resort-style amenities. More recent projects continue this nature-centered approach through expansive landscaped areas and vertical gardens that bring greenery closer to residents, even in high-rise communities. 

A signature feature of DMCI Homes' Lumiventt® Design Technology, the Sky Patio enhances airflow and natural illumination while providing pockets of greenery within high-rise communities.

In many ways, these design choices echo the essence of friluftsliv: the idea that meaningful interactions with nature should be part of everyday life rather than reserved for special occasions. Whether it is a morning jog along a tree-lined pathway, a quiet break in a garden, or time spent outdoors with family, these moments help foster a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. 

 

As Norway's embrace of friluftsliv demonstrates, a strong connection with nature can enrich daily living. By creating communities where green spaces are woven into the residential experience and where natural light, fresh air, and greenery are incorporated into the built environment, DMCI Homes helps make the benefits of outdoor living accessible every day, allowing residents to relax, recharge, and thrive close to home. 

 

DMCI Homes is the Philippines’ first Quadruple A real estate developer known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio, Boracay and Davao City. The company’s portfolio boasts more than 70 properties since it was launched in 1999.   

  

To learn more about DMCI Homes’ pre-selling and ready-for-occupancy projects and special promos, call (632) 5324-8888. You can also visit leasing.dmcihomes.com to know more about opportunities in leasing and rent-to-own programs of DMCI Homes. News and other updates are also posted on the company’s official website and its social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.