Creating a greener urban jungle

However, some urban residents occasionally feel a lack of connection with the greenery of nature that is often seen more in suburban areas - this is due to the city’s density and limited space for landscaping.

Certain city dwellers from New York, Japan and Hong Kong realised this, and have come up with new and creative ways to bring some green into these urban jungles.

Lowline Lab in New York

A case in point is the astounding Lowline Lab in New York; proposed to be the world’s first underground park, it features more than 70 plant species and more than 3,000 plants operating off of a combination of natural sunlight and artificial supplements. Originally scheduled to close in March this year, the Lowline Lab's tenancy has been extended through March 2017. The Lab not only offers a subterranean garden escape, but also plays host to a variety of community activities including discussions, art installations and educational events.

Image source: www.facebook.com/thelowline

Japan’s Namba Parks

Another example of how cities have embraced green living is Japan’s Namba Parks. Based in Osaka, the retail and office compound totally blasts away the boring stereotype of what a mall is supposed to look like. The eight-level rooftop garden that crosses over several city blocks features tree groves, rock clusters, cliffs and canyons, lawns, streams, waterfalls, ponds, and even offers workers a space to grow veggies.

Western Cape Department of Environment and Development Planning's rooftop garden by Carolize Jansen

A trend that is by no means new, but still worth mentioning due to its simplicity and how easy it is to incorporate in your own home, is the vertical garden. Designed and landscaped alongside walls or fences, these green creations (depending on the plant) can be showcased on the inside or outside of your home – allowing homeowners a chance to truly bring nature to the city.

Garden on a bridge in Aix-en-Provence, France

A beautiful vertical garden example is Patrick Blanc’s garden on a bridge in Aix-en-Provence, France. According to the Mother Nature Network, Blanc says that he likes to reintegrate nature where it is least expected. The garden is composed of three parts: a metal frame, vinyl polymer to waterproof the structure, and a layer of felt where the roots grow.

Image: twistedsifter

Looking at these different projects, it is evident that the world around us is moving towards a greener (out)look, and this can only prove beneficial for those choosing city living.