Do you know about the urban jungles called vertical forests? These towers of lush greenery stretch skyward, a testament to man’s ingenuity and nature’s adaptability.
The original vertical forest – Bosco Verticale
Vertical forests stem from the inventive mind of Italian architect Stefano Boeri. His vision for a greener planet led to the creation of Bosco Verticale, a pair of residential towers in Milan. These living, breathing structures showcase over 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 floral plants. The foliage acts as an urban lung, absorbing carbon dioxide and pumping out oxygen, offering a breath of fresh air in a bustling metropolis.
Vertical forests in Asia
Hot on Milan’s heels, Nanjing, China, unveiled its vertical forest concept in 2018. Nanjing Green Towers mirror their Italian counterparts, cocooning a hotel, office, museum, school, and a rooftop club in a verdant embrace. Greenery cloaks the buildings, forming a dynamic ecosystem that provides shade, reduces noise pollution, and creates a habitat for birds and insects.
Across the globe in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Vo Trong Nghia Architects has a vision. With the city’s greenspace dwindling, they proposed a series of condominiums swathed in bamboo-filled concrete planters. They’ve named it the “House for Trees,” with each building designed to accommodate a tree on its roof.
A burgeoning trend
But, vertical forests aren’t solely for the concrete giants of the world. Medium-sized cities have jumped on the bandwagon too, with Eindhoven, a quaint city in the Netherlands, unveiling its own verdant vision. Trudo Vertical Forest is an affordable housing project designed to provide low-income families with sustainable homes wrapped in the embrace of 125 mature trees and countless shrubs.
In Quito, Ecuador, the urban jungle takes a different form. The IQON is Latin America’s first vertical forest, with plans to feature over 300 tree species, some of which are in danger of extinction. It’s an ambitious project, and one that aims to reconcile the city with its biodiverse surroundings.
Finally, let’s take a trip to the desert. In the heart of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, Stefano Boeri strikes again. He proposes a series of seven vertical forest buildings and three green residential complexes. The design aims to combat desertification while creating a bio-diverse urban ecosystem.
These are just a few examples of the burgeoning trend of vertical forests, a unique solution to urbanization’s challenges. As the world’s cities continue to expand, it’s this kind of innovative, nature-centric architecture that will help keep our urban environments breathable, sustainable, and beautiful.
— WTF fun facts
Source: “9 Vertical Forests Around the World That Look like Jungles in the City” — Interesting Engineering