Stefano Boeri, the Italian architect, is noted for designing Vertical Forests on city buildings that have the potential to tremendously decrease carbon dioxide in the air and increase more oxygen. He argued that we should adopt Vertical Forests, which are complex structures that turn buildings into their own forest with their green roofs and plantations. Cities cover only about 3 percent of the Earth’s land but they are responsible for 70 percent of the world’s energy consumption and 75 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change, argues Mr. Boeri. Therefore, he designed these forests on buildings in order to address the global issue of climate change. In addition, Mr. Boeri has different structures for different cities which can aid in the biodiversity in these forest-buildings around the globe, including China, the Netherlands, and Manhattan.
I feel this can be extremely revolutionary in the global situation on increasing climate change in our environments. As the world gets warmer, we need advanced solutions like these forest-buildings which leave long-lasting, positive effects on our environment. With the right plants and trees, we will be able to fight climate change by coping with its disastrous path rather remaining in fear from its effects.
Article can be found here.
I absolutely love Boeri’s idea of vertical forests. In general, its design looks both modern and apocalyptic in a way, but I appreciate how he has conceptualized how the plants would grow and function for our society. Keeping cities as green as possible in these next few decades is going to be crucial to make sure the sea level doesn’t exponentially rise at a faster rate and cities like NYC aren’t wiped off the face of the map. I think the buildings could be used as more than just a landing ground for growth. Whatever plants would be decided to be built in these vertical forests should include farm-based crops, that will allow for local groceries and food production. This would be relatively small-scale, but it would contribute to the community aspect of green redemption. I also believe the building could potentially function as a renewable source of energy, like a power plant. If a hydraulic system was running beneath the building, especially if placed next to a river or coast, the building could also function as a water-generated electricity source, while also filtering water for the plants that grow on top. It’s an idea that teems with merit-worthy ideas that unfortunately need major capital to finance. If a city is willing to test out the benefits of this vertical forest, NYC would be their best bet.
I heard about these vertical forests a long time ago, but never knew much about them. These could improve city curb appeals, and air qualities (which would help the smell of trash). I agree with your thoughts on it’s ability to improve our environments, and, after viewing posters, I can see these forests being incorporated in green roof plans in NYC. Also, these plants and trees could be used for agricultural purposes which will reduce shipping costs of resources that would be grown in our own neighborhoods. This is aside form the obvious fact that this would reduce the negative effects of deforestation in the amazon, and around the world. Have any of these vertical forests been implemented in NYC? How do the designs differ from city to city? This is a great article, and a great cause to get involved in. These should be more popular.