VERTICAL GARDENS: THE FUTURE OF URBAN GREENING

Abstract

The article explores the concept of vertical gardens as an innovative direction of urban greening aimed at improving the ecological condition of cities, increasing their aesthetic appeal and promoting sustainable development. Vertical gardens located on the walls of buildings are an effective solution for reducing air pollution, absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing urban noise and improving thermal insulation. An overview of successful global examples is presented, in particular Bosco Verticale in Milan, vertical gardens in Singapore and green walls in Paris. Their contribution to reducing heat “islands” in cities, improving the microclimate and supporting biodiversity is analyzed. Special attention is paid to the possibilities of implementing such solutions in Ukrainian cities, taking into account climatic, economic and social factors. The scientific novelty lies in determining the prospects for adapting vertical gardens to the Ukrainian context, and the practical significance lies in developing recommendations for creating environmentally effective, aesthetic and socially useful urban spaces. The purpose of the article is to study the concept of vertical gardens and develop practical recommendations for their integration into the modern urban environment to improve the ecological state, aesthetics and functionality of urban spaces. The tasks include: analysis of the main environmental, social and economic advantages of vertical gardens; study of successful examples of vertical gardening in world megacities; development of a methodology for creating vertical gardens adapted to the climatic conditions and architectural features of Ukrainian cities. The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach and includes an analysis of the environmental, architectural and social aspects of implementing vertical gardens in the urban environment. For this purpose, the following was carried out: an analysis of modern research and scientific publications; a study of technological solutions; modeling of vertical gardening opportunities. The scientific novelty lies in the first proposed methodology for integrating vertical gardens into the urban environment of Ukraine, taking into account the climatic, ecological and architectural features of the region. The study shows how vertical gardens can become a tool for improving the ecological state of urban areas, adapting to climate change and increasing the aesthetic appeal of urban spaces. Practical relevance of the study lies in the creation of a toolkit for designing vertical gardens adapted to the urban environment of Ukraine. The developed recommendations include the selection of plants resistant to climate change, the use of automated irrigation systems, and the determination of the design features of green walls for different types of urban facilities. The results obtained can be used by architects, landscape designers, urban planners, and developers to create environmentally efficient and aesthetic urban spaces. Vertical gardens can also be integrated into educational, cultural, and tourism projects, increasing their attractiveness and contributing to the development of eco-tourism.