Green apartment in Yoyogi-Uehara, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo

The increase of construction of apartments had a serious impact on Japanese cities' green areas. The fact that these cities lack of space tends to a land conflict. Green areas have been sacrificed for building construction. Recently, Japanese cities made a serious effort to replant green spaces. Even apartments cohabit with plants and other green spaces as this picture took at Yoyogi-Uehara shows. Constructors and architects are encouraged to include vegetation. Here no vertical green walls but balconies and interstices are filled with plants. Balconies for instance offer the most practical method to include vegetation without sacrificing significant floor area. The gap between building are also a good method for planted areas without disturbing the adjacent buildings, which, on the contrary, profit from the presence of these green areas since they shade the buildings during hot summers, foster biodiversity and beautify the buildings.

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