Score: 84%
, 56 votes,
Feasibility 89%
Originality 75%
Humour 57% The Problem
Dingy, urban, polluted living.....The Social Invention
A scheme involving an environmental charity, an enterprising journalist and a Midlands housing association has shown how tower blocks can be effectively ?greened? to create a nicer living environment. Through offering tenants of a tower block in Coventry two free window boxes, filled with plants and compost, the project has transformed an imposing grey block of flats into a brighter, more colourful place to live. As well as changing the look of the tower for the better, the initiative helped create more of a community feeling amongst the residents.'Almost half of the 120 flats took up the offer of a free window box'
The ?flower block? project came about through the initiative of a local journalist, Barbara Goulden, who spotted a balcony of colour and greenness in the tower block. Having met up with the high-rise gardener responsible, she got to thinking of the possibilities if five or ten per cent of the tenants were to follow his lead. In collaboration with the environmental charity Groundwork (as part of its sustainable tower blocks initiative) and the local housing association, each tenant was offered the window boxes. Nearly half of the 120 flats in the block took up the offer, with any spares being quickly snapped up by nearby tower blocks. The resultant green, bright and colourful environment has changed the way the residents view their tower block, and the possibilities of making their place of residence more sustainable. Indeed, the project has been such a success that it is now hoped that it can be rolled out in other areas of the country, wherever the urban landscape is blighted by grey slabs in the skyline. The potential for greening urban architecture on a grand scale is massive, and would encourage greater community feeling, create brighter and nicer places to live, and get people actively involved in sustainable living.
? Groundwork UK, 85-87 Cornwall Street, Birmingham B3 3BY
(tel : 0121 236 8565; fax: 0121 236 7356;
web: Groundwork.org.uk)
Summarised from an article by Chris Arnot, entitled ?Flower blocks?, in the Guardian (September 4th 2002; Society section).
The Author
| Authors Comments |
Rate This Idea
Your Comments (7)
hbarnard | 27 Nov '04 16:11
Subject: Great but...
You need to attach them securely. They're deadly if they fall from a high floor.
Subject: Great but...
You need to attach them securely. They're deadly if they fall from a high floor.
Prashant | 11 Mar '05 13:21
Subject: Environmental and green tower blocks
You my want to see our website that looks at sustainable refurb of tower blocks Prashant
Subject: Environmental and green tower blocks
You my want to see our website that looks at sustainable refurb of tower blocks Prashant
Prashant | 11 Mar '05 13:22
Subject: www.sustainingtowers.org
sorry i miss the link. www.sustainingtowers.org
Subject: www.sustainingtowers.org
sorry i miss the link. www.sustainingtowers.org
jockox3 | 05 Sep '05 07:00
Subject: Why...
...do you want to sustain tower blocks? :+)
Subject: Why...
...do you want to sustain tower blocks? :+)
purple8 | 05 Dec '09 07:06
Subject: ...
It's a great idea in Britain. Some of the buildings look gross after a year or so. Check this out, walkie talkie radio blog.
POST COMMENT | SEE ALL COMMENTS | REPORT A COMMENT
Subject: ...
It's a great idea in Britain. Some of the buildings look gross after a year or so. Check this out, walkie talkie radio blog.