Future cities: The case for biophilic vertical cities

As the world’s population increases and as populations of cities increase there is a real possibility that vertical cities offer the answer to the survival of the planet and humankind. Whilst megastructures have been built as individual buildings, thus far there are no vertical cities, but these megastructures indicate this is possible. The buildings of vertical cities can be integrated in the skies as well as below ground as earthscrapers and host all the functions of the city including green spaces such as parks and gardens and urban agriculture. The integration of biophilia into the vertical city is necessary and compliments the fact that not only do vertical cities provide an answer to accommodating the world’s burgeoning population, but the compact footprint of the city allows for an increase in nature, access to nature and farming in adjacent areas.