Greening High-Density Buildings, Open Space, and Infrastructures: Circular and Regenerative Climate Actions Linking Environmental with Social Aspects

When it comes to fighting climate change, and there is a growing competition for space in cities, the design of the entire “urban envelope” – buildings, infrastructures, open spaces – is due to contribute to large-scale adaptation, incorporating wherever possible natural elements and systems, as “nature-based solutions”. “Greening the Grey” with vegetation can help reduce the urban heat island effects, and usefully capture, treat, and reuse the rainwater so that a problem is transformed into an opportunity. Plants and herbs can be grown on rooftops and, when structurally feasible, vegetable gardens or even trees can be planted. Horticultural technologies support the establishment and maintenance of soil-plant systems, such as rooftop-farms, bio-retention basins, and other green spaces constructed on built surfaces, including roofs, pavements, and street-level portions of underground structures. Greening the urban built environment contributes to enhancing recreational access and facilities, as well as engaging and educating communities through programming and activities like community gardening. With this contribution, the author aims at describing own research-through-design in the field, while inspiring cities, researchers, practitioners, and building owners to help make the urban built environment with high density a more attractive, enjoyable, and resilient place to live in.