
Milan's "Vertical Forest" is an award-winning skyscraper which houses numerous trees and shrubs.

Designed by Stefano Boeri architects, the 116-meter and 76-meter towers were completed in 2014.

More than 800 trees have been planted on steel-reinforced balconies with the aim of combating urban pollution as well as containing urban sprawl.

A similar-looking highrise -- as seen in this artist's impression -- will start construction in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2017.

The Tower of Cedars will be around 120 meters in height and incorporate more than 100 cedar trees.

The building was also conceived by Stefano Boeri architects.

London's Kensington Roof Gardens opened in the 1930s and covers 1.5 acres. In recent years, London has become a leader in planting green roofs with an estimated 1.3 million square feet covered across the UK capital.

A more modern take on green roofs can be found atop the Numura building in the City of London. The Japanese investment bank's private rooftop gardens include a terrace with panoramic views across the River Thames.

In Guizhou, China, Stefano Boeri architects have started drawing up plans to create a 250-room Mountain Forest hotel.

The design is inspired by the natural scenery of the Wanfenglin (Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks) valley, according to Milan-based architects.

Boeri is also plotting a new sustainable city in Shijiazhuang, China.

The "Forest City" is an idea to create a sustainable city of 100,000 inhabitants which would build on the success of Boeri's "Vertical Forest."



