Fashionable, innovative, ecological design, are all elements that seem enough to see on vertical gardens the great promise; as simple gardens or urban farming these extraordinary structures makes the difference and contributes to shape a sustainable way of urban living.
Currently, around 3.5 billion of people live in cities and is estimated that by 2050, almost 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. That´s the main reason for seeing on vertical garden/farm the solution for a clean, affordable and resilient urban planning.
This innovative gardens would change the concept of living in cities contributing directly on reducing climate change impact; e.g. Santalaia building in Bogotá, Colombia produces oxygen for more than 3,100 people every year and filter more than 2,000 tons of harmful gases*. Inside or outside of the buildings this “Green fashion” transforms simple walls or spaces into truly generators of energy.
It´d also served as producer of ecological food: in Tokyo, Pasona Group introduces the concept of urban farming at its headquarters. An office-building that integrates a farm into the office and allows employees to grow and harvest their own food*.
And all the additional versions such as green roofing or/and portable gardens and farms that helps to insulate houses naturally,keep energy consumption down, or achieving high levels of quality food reducing transportation costs, among other benefits.
It’s imperative that a strategy on urban planning is designed according to healthy standards of living. The introduction of “green” through vertical gardens, green roofs, parks, more walk able areas, plants turn to generators of electricity, transport powered by clean energies, solar, wind energy, urban farming, etc. means green pieces of an urban puzzle that definitely boost resilience in the short term*. In which vertical gardens/farms are one of those pieces that makes the difference and not necessary depends on the public sector but on a strong individual determination for change.
However, this new concept demands new educational standards that serve as pillar for building cities around green patterns. That is nothing more than a cultural process of changing.
Once the concept of “culture around green” is established is not much difficult to consolidate projects of this kind. However the public sector initiative is always the framework for balancing urban planning and green initiatives. Is it so, that the burden of the financial side its more about a change of minds rather than lack of interest.
In current times of crises rely on the public sector may be frustrated, if we add the controversial “phenomenon” of climate change denial coming mainly from one of the most important countries in the world, we see than more than ever individual action become key.
Only the power of a green culture, that changes individual habits and boost private initiatives may overcome other “powers” representing by strong private financial interests that are preventing for a better development of an international green framework. Vertical gardens are just one expression of the importance of the private initiative to struggle against this trend of denial that even it doesn’t represent the majority of the people it influence million of them.
Vertical gardens, urban farming, portable garden or just green walls outside or inside buildings are showing that its possible and that responsible, sustainable living its part of design/innovative projects and a new way of focusing architecture.
As a difference to other green projects, green walls are attractive visually and fits in any design project. Which makes it easier to introduce it to private initiatives as well as the public sphere within an urban planning strategy.
Innovation is once again the essential link for making of these projects a successful, affordable and long-term impact idea.
Is precisely the fact that it fits with an innovative creative design that makes it attractive for private investment and not submitted to the slow process of public procedures. Although, meanwhile the private boost is anarchic and not always steady, the public support represents a well-structured initiative with future perspectives for building entire cities. Stefano Boeri and its project for a massive vertical garden city in Liuzhou, China shows that it’s achievable in the short term if there is political will and citizen´s impulse*
Imagine the future…. overpopulated cities with green spaces, vertical gardens/farms in private houses and office-buildings. It´s possible, is happening and just need a boost from the public sector with well-designed projects of urban planning and an investment strategy that combines transport, health, energy and education.
Vertical garden/farm is a matter of urban planning through individual creativity and initiative and a consistent public sector commitment. Just trust that when nature and architecture comes together the magic begins….
*Pasona Group. Office Building and vertical farming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJMZRIRkZWs
*”Resilient cities. Password: Green”
https://thesustainabilityreader.com/2016/10/12/resilient-cities-system-password-green/
*Forest city, China, Stefano Boeri
https://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/en/portfolios/liuzhou-forest-city/
*“Architecture as a tool for building resilient cities” https://thesustainabilityreader.com/2017/03/01/architecture-as-a-tool-for-building-resilient-cities/
*For Green innovation we need green Education
https://thesustainabilityreader.com/2017/05/03/for-green-innovation-we-need-green-education/
*Picture: Bosco Verticale, Stefano Boeri
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