The Hanging Gardens of Chicago (and other modern cities)

A Planted roof at The Art and Exhibition Hall in Bonn, Germany.

The number of green roofs is growing across the globe.  The contemporary trend began in Germany in the 1960s and spread to other European countries, such as Switzerland and the Netherlands, before expanding to other continents, including the US and Australia.   A really interesting article on green roofs can be found in the current issue of American Way Magazine.  You can even learn how to make your own green roof!

Not only beautiful, these roofs are energy-efficient and can even provide habitats to endangered species.  In Chicago, home to the highest US concentration of planted roofs, the City Hall has been planted as a meadow and now serves as home to multiple species of birds, spiders and beetles.

The meadows at City Hall.

For more great pictures and a rundown of some stunning green roof projects, be sure to also check out Green Roofs Australia.