Changhee Choi’s Post

Singapore calls itself the Garden City, and it’s making good on that promise. Singapore's meteoric economic rise launched a landscape of towering architecture in the compact city-state, but as the metropolis continues to grow, urban planners are weaving nature throughout—and even into its heights. New developments must include plant life, in the form of green roofs, cascading vertical gardens, and verdant walls. Looking forward, 2030 is going to be a big year for Singapore. It has created an ambitious program that promises all households to be within a ten-minute walk from greenspace. The plans include 200 hectares of skyrise greenery, a million trees planted, and a 50% increase in parkland. Because #ATreeCanBe innovative, finding new ways to green cities across the globe.

A new architectural landmark has quietly emerged in the heart of a small suburban town in Taiwan. With a population of barely one hundred thousand and predominantly composed of the Hakka community, the Chudong Parking Structure, designed by the innovative team at Q-LAB is more than just a utilitarian facility. It is a thoughtful response to the unique socio-economic fabric of this town, where tourism and agriculture are the lifeblood of the local economy. For years, the central market has been dealing with chaotic traffic and a shortage of parking spaces, which has caused residents inconvenience. To address this issue, local authorities decided to build a parking structure to reduce congestion and promote the town's growth. The Chudong Parking Structure is not just a solution to a practical problem but a beacon of hope for the town's future, adding to its cultural and aesthetic appeal. >>> https://bit.ly/3ArauDD #design #architecture #carpark #carparkdesign #QLAB #Chudongparking #structure #solutions #Taiwan #Taiwandesign #taiwanarchitecture #shortlisted #skydesignawards #mercimagazine

🌸 Reflections from 경춘선숲길 Gyeongchun Line Forest Park 🌸 The good weather is back in Seoul and since I’m quite lucky to live right in front of the Gyeongchun Line Forest Park, I’m not missing the chance to have a walk surrounded by the fading beauty of spring blossoms. But today this got me thinking about the profound impact that well-designed public spaces have on our cities and communities. In urban planning, the challenge often lies not just in the creation of these spaces but in helping residents understand the multifaceted benefits they offer. The Gyeongchun Line, a former railway turned into a vibrant linear park, serves as a perfect example of this transformative power. Let me explain some of them: Proximity is Key for Enhanced Accessibility and New Local Businesses : This park isn't just a beautiful retreat; it's a vital artery for pedestrian connectivity. It links various parts of the city, and especially several uses, making it easier for residents to walk to local amenities and businesses. This accessibility is quite important for local entrepreneurs, since increased foot traffic opens new opportunities for small stores, restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues. This park totally changed the neighborhood during the last 5 years and now it’s a vibrant space for business. Property Value Appreciation: Proximity to well-maintained green spaces like Gyeongchun Line Forest Park can significantly enhance property values. This uplift benefits homeowners and strengthens the economic foundation of the community. But that’s the key part since residents also participate in the maintenance of the park. Security through Visibility: Echoing Jane Jacobs' concept of "eyes on the street," parks like these increase community surveillance naturally and the effect is quite notorious, even for Korean standards of low crime. More people out and enjoying the area means a safer environment for everyone. Communicating these benefits is crucial but it’s usually one of the parts that urban planners and local governments struggle with. While the immediate allure of a park may be its beauty—as clearly seen today amid the last of the cherry blossoms—the long-term gains in urban vitality, safety, and economic prosperity are equally important. #SmartCity #Korea #Seoul #City #SmartGovernance #UrbanDesign #UrbanPlanning #CitiesforPeople #CitiesoftheFuture #Park #Sustainability #Architecture #LandscapeDesign

Interesting read 👇

One of the tallest plant installations in the world — standing 200 meters high! 🌿 This groundbreaking residential building in Kuala Lumpur shows that buildings don't have to be just concrete - they can be living ecosystems. With two towers, 43 and 48 stories high, covered by over 230 species of tropical plants, this project brings nature back into the city. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel and botanist Patrick Blanc, it uses stainless steel cables to create a lush vertical ecosystem. Beyond looking amazing, it boosts biodiversity, cleans the air, and adds greenery to the urban skyline. We need more visionaries like Nouvel and Blanc to design cities that work with nature, not against it. 🌱 At BIOTONOMY, we believe in Nature Based Solutions to make cities healthier and more resilient to climate change. Would you like to see a building like this in your city? Let's push for building urban spaces that give back to the planet. 🌍 Share this inspiring project and show your network that it's possible and that the transformation is already happening 😁 #biotonomy #verticalgarden #greencities

One of the tallest plant installations in the world—standing 200 meters high! 🌿 This groundbreaking residential building in Kuala Lumpur shows that buildings don't have to be just concrete - they can be living ecosystems. With two towers, 43 and 48 stories high, covered by over 230 species of tropical plants, this project brings nature back into the city vertically. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel and botanist Patrick Blanc, it uses stainless steel cables to create a lush vertical forest. Beyond looking amazing, it boosts biodiversity, cleans the air, and adds greenery to the urban skyline. We need more visionaries like Nouvel and Blanc to design cities that work with nature, not against it. 🌱 At BIOTONOMY, we believe in Nature Based Solutions to make cities healthier and more resilient to climate change. Would you like to see a building like this in your city? Let's push for building urban spaces that give back to the planet. 🌍 Share this inspiring project and show your network that it's possible and that change is already happening in cities worldwide. #biotonomy #verticalgarden #greencities

𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭, a pioneering smart city in South Korea, epitomizes the fusion of sustainable design with cutting-edge digital technology. This urban marvel is distinguished by its comprehensive approach to sustainability, featuring eco-friendly buildings, vast green spaces, and a highly efficient underground waste disposal system that eliminates the need for conventional garbage trucks. The city's infrastructure is embedded with smart technology that enhances living and working environments, making Songdo a global benchmark for urban planning and development. Its innovative practices in managing resources and improving residents' quality of life showcase the potential of smart cities to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges. #Songdo #SmartCity #SustainableDesign #DigitalInnovation #UrbanPlanning #GreenTechnology #WasteManagement #SouthKorea #FutureCities #EcoFriendly #civilengineering #architectural #architecturedesign #concretefunda #niteshvtank

The market, sustainability and architectural impact without failing to consider all the other psychological benefits of having contact with nature... it is essential to have efficient irrigation systems that guarantee the appropriate use of water and carry out automatic irrigation to guarantee the longevity of these projects

Relaaax in the city? '110-degree lawns' in Shanghai 😍 Urban dwellers, it's time to embrace the green revolution! Shanghai's innovative 'tiered lawn' showcases how cities can integrate nature into our daily lives: 110-degree inclined perfect lunch spots. 3 oasis to look out for - or create: 🌳 Rooftop gardens: transform unused spaces into green oases. 🌳Vertical Parks: utilise building facades for lush, living walls. 🌳 Urban forests: Create mini-ecosystems within city limits. Because: Just 20 minutes connected to nature : 1️⃣ Relax and lower your heart rate; 2️⃣ Decrease stress levels and 3️⃣ Boost happiness-inducing hormones. Other ideas? Happy Sunday! #circulareconomy #regeneration #linkedintopvoices

🏙️ The Convenience of Compact, Connected Communities Have you ever wished you could live, work, and play 🏢🛒🏞️ all in the same place? That's the idea behind mixed-use developments - urban projects that combine residential, commercial, and sometimes even cultural or institutional uses in a single, integrated community. These developments are designed to be highly walkable 🚶♀️🚲, with easy access to shops, restaurants, offices, and public spaces. The goal is to create a vibrant, sustainable neighborhood where people can reduce their reliance on cars 🚗 and enjoy a more convenient, connected lifestyle. Mixed-use developments often feature a higher density of buildings, with apartments, condos, or townhomes 🏘️ situated above or alongside retail stores, restaurants, and office spaces. Shared public areas like plazas, parks, and community centers 🏞️🏟️ encourage social interaction and a true sense of community. By blending different land uses, mixed-use developments can boost economic activity 💰, improve quality of life 🌇, and promote more environmentally-friendly practices 🌳. It's an innovative approach to urban planning that's transforming the way we think about how we live, work, and play in our cities. #mixedusedevelopment #urbanplanning #walkablecommunity #sustainablecities #compactdesign #liveworkplay #denseurbandesign #multifunctionalspaces #publicspaces #economicactivity #reducedcommutes #qualityoflife #environmentalbenefits #integratedlanduses #vibrantneighborhoods #RayKang #RayCREBroker #MarcusMillichap