smart magazine is a platform focused on a variety of architecture, design and technology related solutions for today’s urban challenges. According to a recent article, “two thirds of the world’s population are set to be living in cities by 2050”, so it’s important that we plan for a more sustainable future. This is an exciting time for designers around the world re-imagining living spaces and specifically the ways a city can improve the quality of life for those living in it. Many urban spaces today are concrete, steel and glass with maybe a little bit of greenery here and there, but there’s a movement happening now where architects are fully integrating nature into city design by thinking vertically.

Vertical forests, parks, and gardens go beyond simply making a skyline look beautiful; these green spaces effectively reduce noise and air pollution, they create natural air conditioning and even produce food! We had a chance to read through several articles on vertical gardens on smart magazine’s site and pulled a few of our favourite examples of how designers and architects are envisioning greener future cities.