In the pursuit of environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible space, these rooftop gardens showcase going green in an urban jungle.
3. Namba Parks – Osaka
This is not your stereotypical shopping mall! Built in the footprint of the old Osaka baseball stadium, it has been redeveloped into a rooftop garden that spans several city blocks and features tree groves, cliffs, canyons, rock formations, lawns, streams, waterfalls, ponds, and even space to grow vegetables and herbs.
4. The Roof Gardens – London
The British love their gardens and this Kensington oasis from the hustle and bustle of London is home to three very different, beautifully curated gardens, with free access to the public to explore (used also for exclusive events).
You’ll immediately feel transported to a Spanish haven in The Spanish Garden, made up of colourful plants and flowers, as well as Mediterranean trees all laid out from garden designs of 1938.
The Tudor Garden will take you to another age, with the use of red bricks walls and Tudor style arches with plantings recognised in Tudor England.
The English Woodland Garden bursts with colour when bluebells, snowdrops, muscari and crocus bloom. Some of the trees in this garden are over 75 years old, including Mulberry Trees and Japanese Maples and also where you’ll find an array of birds, including resident flamingos!
6. Chicago City Hall – Chicago
Sitting atop City Hall, this Chicago roof garden was created in 2000. Championing the green cause, the garden was conceived as a demonstration project to raise awareness of the benefits of the green roofs and the affect on temperature and air quality. The garden consists of 20,000 plants of more than 150 species, including shrubs, vines and two trees.
8. Highline – New York City
What to do with an old and abandoned rail track? Turn it to a garden. Technically not a rooftop garden but an elevated public park, this worthy mention has become one of Manhattan’s most popular New York attractions with lovely wildflowers, greenery and plantings, offering walkers some of the best views in NYC and a place of relaxation.