Residents shun Chinese ‘vertical forest’ housing project because trees meant to revolutionise urban living just attracted plagues of mosquitos
An experimental green housing project in a Chinese megacity promised prospective residents life in a 'vertical forest', with manicured gardens on every balcony.
All 826 apartments were sold out by April this year, according to the project's estate agent, but instead of a modern eco-paradise, the towers look like the set of a desolate, post-apocalyptic film.
Only a handful of families have moved into Chengdu's Qiyi City Forest Garden because of an infestation of mosquitoes, state media have reported.
Drone photos show an aerial view of Qiyi City Forest Garden residential buildings complex in Chengdu, China
The project in the southwestern city was built in 2018, with every private balcony designed to provide space for plants to grow
A photo from the beginning of August shows residents looking on from a balcony covered with plants in their apartment
All 826 apartments were sold out by April this year, according to the project's estate agent, but instead of a modern eco-paradise, the towers look like the set of a desolate, post-apocalyptic film
The project in the southwestern city was built in 2018, with every private balcony designed to provide space for plants to grow, according to local media reports.
Without any tenants to care for them, the eight towers have been overrun by their own plants - and invaded by mosquitoes.
Plants have almost entirely swallowed up some neglected balconies, with branches hanging over railings all over the towers, footage shot this month showed.
Plants have almost entirely swallowed up some neglected balconies, with branches hanging over railings all over the towers
Residents were promised a modern eco-paradise and specially-designed balconies for growing plants but only a handful of families have moved into Chengdu's Qiyi City Forest Garden because of an infestation of mosquitoes
Some residents appeared to have braved the mosquitoes as a handful of balconies had pruned plants and outdoor furniture, and lights turned on inside the apartments
Without any tenants to care for them, the buildings have become overrun by their own plants and invaded by mosquitoes
Paper was seen taped over some of the windows that were still visible behind the overgrown plants.
But some residents appeared to have braved the mosquitoes - a handful of balconies had pruned plants and outdoor furniture, and lights turned on inside the apartments.
Only about 10 families have moved in, according to the state-run Global Times newspaper.
When the project was built in 2018, each balcony was given space to grow its own plants but they are now overrun, with branches hanging down on the balcony below
According to state-run Global Times newspaper, only about 10 families have moved in despite all 826 apartments being sold out by April this year
The plants on the balconies in Chengdu's Qiyi City Forest Garden have overgrown and been invaded by mosquitoes
