Living in a huge metropolis among lush vegetation is the dream of a modern man. Although such happiness can be overshadowed by an unexpected sharing, which led to the complete desolation of an elite residential complex, as happened in China. Instead of the promised paradise, 8 skyscrapers in a matter of months turned into a real jungle, in which it is just right to shoot post-apocalyptic films. So what kind of mysterious neighbors appeared among apartment owners who paid fabulous money for housing, but could not move into it?
For city dwellers still dreaming of living in the forest, the commissioned residential area Qiyi City Forest Garden in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu could have fulfilled their wishes, but it didn't work out. According to the Novate.ru editorial office, 8 skyscrapers in which all apartments have already been purchased (from 2018 to April 2020) have remained empty. Only 10 families live on the territory of the huge complex, who steadfastly endure the massive invasion of mosquitoes, midges and all other living creatures that have flooded all the lush vegetation.
Although a couple of years ago, the media were replete with beautiful headlines and vivid descriptions of heavenly life in a gas-polluted metropolis. It was then that a new residential complex in the Sindu district was still being planted with trees, shrubs and flowers, turning the balconies of each apartment into vertical gardens. It is worth remembering the beautiful words that came from the mouths of the building and the city authorities: "After completion of construction, each apartment will become a home for a private garden, where residents can enjoy the rustle of trees on windy days and sunlight passing through the foliage."
Naturally, the motivation for such a design is clear and accepted by all, without exception, residents of overcrowded cities, because in this way it is possible to plant greenery in settlements without occupying precious land. Plus, such an implementation helps to save energy, which is mercilessly wasted in the hot season, because the windows are shaded by living plants and provide life-giving coolness. In those regions where there is a risk of flooding, lush vegetation absorbs water like a sponge, preventing the destruction of buildings. But this is not all the advantages of the technology for creating vertical forests.
As you know, trees are the lungs of the planet, which absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide, accumulating oxygen. This property of plants can be fully used in the organization of green areas in cities. The only thing is that before the introduction of living oases in a small area, it is necessary to carry out considerable research work not only for geologists, builders and design engineers, but also for botanists. It is they who must analyze the situation and organize the breeding of special species of plants, correctly distribute them at different heights and at the same time do not forget to develop a concept of constant care for such a jungle.
Everyone knows that vegetation very quickly recaptures territory, if it is allowed and everything is left to chance. Plus, botanists should have interacted with specialists in the field of entomology and ornithology, because among the branches and leaves a huge variety of insect and bird species finds a home and food. These are the first inhabitants and are capable of ruining a person's life to such an extent that he can leave his home and run away from such a paradise without looking back. In such a situation, even birds do not save from the invasion of flying insects.
There are mistakes from the design side, given that the plants become waterlogged and even begin to rot, we can conclude that the drainage system cannot cope with that amount of water, and this, again, has a positive effect on the population of most blood-sucking insects.
Important information: All of the above-mentioned shortcomings and blunders brought to naught the good undertakings of the developers in the fantastically beautiful residential complex “Qiyi City Forest Garden”. Despite the fact that 826 apartments in these 30-storey buildings were completely sold out, and at a fabulous price, looking at the balconies of these high-rise buildings now gives the impression that this is an eerie set for a post-apocalyptic film, which has no people left on the planet. Now, instead of the promised ecological prosperity and paradise, the apartments are empty, turning into ghostly abandoned buildings.
At the moment, only a few families live on the territory of the whole block, who try not to go out on the balcony without extreme need and do not open their windows at all. The only thing is that they have to cut off the overgrown shrubs and flowers so as not to attract hordes of mosquitoes, midges and flies, but this does little to save the situation, because around, on huge areas, exotic plants actively "absorb" all balconies, terraces and passages. Of course, if you look at it from a bird's eye view, the skyscrapers immersed in greenery look like magnificent gardens with hanging vines and huge colors, but when night falls and only a few lamps light up in the entire quarter, it becomes truly creepy and even scary.
While the pilot project has been disappointing so far, vertical forests and gardens are the future. We will fix the deplorable experience of the Chinese developer, because for more than one year such skyscrapers have appeared around the world and there have been no problems, such as in 7 implemented concepts that have contributed to the greening of megacities.