Urban Living with Nature: Design for Human-nature Interactions in Communal Green Spaces at Residential High-rises

The higher we live from ground level, the more disconnected we feel from the natural environment and community. Compared with people residing away from the metropolitan area, urban dwellers lack personal and open space and may seek room to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. A new typology of sky gardens has been driving designs of residential high-rises to offer communal green spaces at high levels. Its potential benefits consist of improving human thermal comfort and urban microclimate; promoting social cohesion by serving as a community green space. It would provide a place for individuals escaping from the busy city life, improve the community integration for all age groups and improve the health and well-being of residents. In addition, it may enable and raise awareness of intimate contact with nature.