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By David Parish
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston's (the Bank) support for affordable
housing and community economic development is contained within a
broader commitment to the physical environment of New England.
Even with the challenging weather and high cost of living, many
people find New England a desirable place to live. While there are
many components to the region's desirability, a major factor is
the historically harmonious relationship between the natural and
built environments. Although there are plenty of examples of developments
that assault rather than complement the environment, it is still
possible throughout the region to turn a corner and be struck by
a sense of harmony between what has been built and what has been
preserved.
Today, however, the New England landscape is in danger - not only
from poor-quality development but, ironically, from the comfort
of our housing. While far too many families still live in unsafe
and unappealing housing, many others, including residents of Bank-supported
affordable housing, live in secure and comfortable physical environments.
Good housing provides protection from the elements and an ever-expanding
range of comforts and entertainment options. Increasingly, people
venture outside only to travel to another inside environment. The
notion of being outside for the pleasure of being outside is becoming
an antiquated concept.
We are paying an ever-higher price for our separation from the natural
world. The health consequences of a lack of outside activity have
been well documented. Of equal importance, but less well understood,
is the relationship between our distance from the natural world
and increased levels of stress and anxiety.
We need to connect both physically and conceptually to open space.
Too often, open space is simply land left over after development
- isolated, unloved, and unconnected. Only a few moments spent prior
to the commencement of construction considering what land might
be preserved and how it might connect to open space set aside by
others could yield immeasurable benefits. The social and economic
rewards of thoughtful land preservation are too great for us to
remain inattentive.
David Parish is member services representative at the Federal
Home Loan Bank of Boston.
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