Page 9 - Buildings That Breathe: Greening the World’s Cities

Together such
experts are working
toward a new era of
urban greening. This
work involves planting
more trees, creating
more urban green
spaces, and integrating
more plants into
architectural designs.
Greening cities benefits
residents in many ways.
In a 2016 study on
urban green spaces and
health, researchers at
WHO found evidence
that urban green spaces
help residents sleep better Architect Stefano Boeri stands on a balcony at
and stay healthier. That’s Bosco Verticale .
because trees and plants
help us relax. Parks and other green spaces give people places to walk,
play, and exercise. They provide homes for birds and other animals.
In cities with a lot of greenery, the sounds of birds, wind, water, and
wildlife can help drown out the aggravating noise of cars and industry.
Green spaces also provide us with inspiration and a sense of well-being.
Following the World Forum on Urban Forests, Boeri gave a
presentation called “City Vision: Vertical Forests” at the 2018 New York
Times Cities for Tomorrow conference. In his talk, he called climate
change and pollution an enemy and said that moving “the forests inside
the city is an attempt to fight the enemy in its battlefield.” He hopes
that trees and forests “will become an integral part of the life sphere of
millions of citizens in the world.”

Greening Our Cities 9