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C. V.

Professor - Applied Foreign Languages,

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gardens in the air, across buildings

Why are buildings solitary and disconnected? Have you ever thought that it is strange how buildings are vertical structures, accessible only through the bottom floor?
I propose that buildings be built that are interconnected: little bridges to connect them at the third, or sixth floor, and a garden that runs across them. Every building's third floor could be a garden (open space), with trees, flowers, playing grounds, little cafes... and with all the gardens connected to each other visa little bridges. This could work best in a crowded, high density area.
Zoning could mandate that each new building reserve the third floor as a garden, with the style of the garden to be determined the by building's owners.
This way you create a green space in the middle of a busy urban area, where space is often at a premium.

Related Talks:
Topics: Urban Development Urbanism green living urban planning
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  • Bob Shingles 10+

    • +1
    Aug 7 2011: Traditionally, buildings are private undertakings built at various times in various designs to accommodate differing purposes. Connecting them would not make sense.

    Just like there are government regulations requiring buildings to have certain safety systems, I suppose a local government could impose a strict building design that would force all buildings to conform to this idea.

    I have always liked the idea of turning a city into one massive building for various reasons but I imagine it will increase costs significantly and may even drive businesses and people away initially.
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      C. V.

      • 0
      Aug 7 2011: Local governments could require this to be done by every building... as for costs, you could have tax rebates and other incentives. Additionally, having a great park area would increase the real estate value of the building; you could also have a few business on that level (outdoor cafes, etc.). You are right, the main problem is that most buildings are privately and separately owned. In that sense, the problem is how to create a public good by starting with private actors. I think it can be done with a combination of incentives, regulations, and promised payoffs.
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      Alex Smith

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      Aug 8 2011: complete system remodels are not usually undertaken unless they have to be. So assuming cities are grossly overcrowded, what do we do to save space without all retreating inside.

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