City gardens and Urban landscapes

Definition & Advice

What is a city garden? What plants? What is the difference with a countryside garden and an urban garden design?

Here are our tips.

What is a urban landscape?

An urban garden is a specially designed and cultivated green space within the concrete jungles of cities. It is a deliberate effort to infuse nature into urban environments, providing a range of benefits to city dwellers. Urban gardens come in a variety of forms, from rooftop gardens, community gardens, vertical gardens and pocket parks to courtyard gardens within the urban landscape.

Here are some of the main types of urban gardens: Rooftop gardens, Courtyard gardens, Vertical gardens, Community gardens, Public parks and squares.

Differentiating Characteristics of Urban Gardens:

Optimization of Space: Unlike traditional gardens, which often feature large expanses of land, urban gardens maximize the use of limited urban space. They creatively adapt to the available surface area, whether roofs, small courtyards or even vertical surfaces.

Functionality: Urban gardens often serve multiple purposes. They are designed to be not only visually apparent, but also functional. For example, a roof garden can provide insulation, reduce energy costs and improve air quality.

Sustainability: Urban gardens prioritize sustainability and eco-responsibility. They often use drought-tolerant plants, native species, and efficient irrigation systems to save water.

Challenges and Solutions: Urban gardens face unique challenges such as limited soil depth, weight restrictions and exposure to urban pollution. As a result, they require specialized techniques and materials. For example, green roofs are designed to support the weight of soil and vegetation while providing insulation and drainage.

Regulations: Urban gardens must comply with city regulations and planning laws, which often require considerations such as drainage, weight capacity and safety measures. A landscape architect is handy if you need to obtain a building permit from the city.

In summary, urban gardens are a testament to human ingenuity, transforming urban spaces into thriving green havens. They stand out for their adaptability, functionality and ability to meet urban challenges. Urban gardens play a crucial role in redefining urban living by merging the tranquility of nature with the vitality of city life.

The Different Types of Vegetation for a City Garden?

When it comes to choosing the right plants for the urban landscape, various factors come into play, from durability and aesthetics to functionality. Let’s discover the different types of vegetation that beautify our cities:

1. Drought-tolerant Plants: Ideal for Parisian Summers

Parisian summers can be hot and dry, which is why drought-resistant plants have become a staple in urban landscapes. These resilient green wonders are good at saving water, making it a sustainable choice. Succulents, lavender, and rosemary are some examples of drought-tolerant plants that thrive despite limited water resources. Their ability to withstand arid conditions makes them a perfect choice for urban gardeners concerned about their water usage.

2. Shade Plants: Creation of Cool Shelters in Interior Courtyards

In the heart of a bustling city, finding shelter from the sun is a luxury. That's where shade plants come in. They provide cool, lush retreats in courtyards and other urban spaces, providing respite from the urban heat island effect. Ferns, hostas and hydrangeas are popular choices for creating shady oases that invite people to relax, unwind and reconnect with nature, even amid the hustle and bustle of the city.

3. Native Plants: Promotion of Biodiversity

To support local ecosystems and promote biodiversity, many urban gardeners are turning to native plants. These are species that occur naturally in a given region, making them ideally suited to the local environment. Native plants not only provide essential food and habitat for local wildlife, but also contribute to the ecological balance of the city. By planting species like sedums, wildflowers, grasses and shrubs native to Paris, urban landscapes become more resilient and environmentally friendly.

4. Green Roof systems: Energy Saving and Aesthetics

Green roof systems have evolved into a remarkable integration of vegetation into urban infrastructure. They not only improve the visual appeal of buildings but also serve as energy-efficient solutions. Sedums, grasses and small shrubs thrive on green roofs, providing insulation, reducing urban heat and improving air quality. The aesthetic beauty they bring to the urban landscape is unmatched, while contributing to sustainable urban development.

What Type of Outdoor Lighting for a City Garden ?

Illuminate Gardens and City Roofs: Customized Outdoor lighting Solutions

As the sun sets and the cityscape transforms into a canvas of stars, outdoor lighting becomes the painter's brushstroke, adding elegance, security and a touch of magic to city gardens and roof terrace spaces. The right outdoor lighting solutions can enhance the beauty of these environments, ensuring they can be enjoyed day or night. Let's explore the different facets of custom outdoor lighting, from creating an atmosphere of nighttime elegance to ensuring safety and complying with urban planning regulations.

1. Ambient Lighting for Nighttime Elegance: Ambient lighting sets the stage for enchanting evenings in the city garden or atop a rooftop oasis. Subtle, strategically placed light fixtures cast a soft glow highlighting architectural features, vegetation and relaxation areas. This type of lighting can create a serene and welcoming atmosphere for relaxation and entertainment, extending the hours of use of your urban outdoor space.

2. Pathway and Safety Lighting: Moving through a garden or on a roof terrace after dark requires adequate illumination to ensure safety. Path lighting is not only practical, but it also contributes to the aesthetics of the space. Well-placed lighting fixtures along walkways and stairways guide residents and guests, preventing accidents while contributing to the overall design of the area. Security lighting is a crucial part of any outdoor lighting plan.

3. Energy Efficient Lighting Options: In today's environmentally conscious world, energy efficient lighting solutions are not only a responsible choice but also an economical one. LED lights and solar-powered lighting fixtures reduce energy consumption, lower electricity bills and have a longer lifespan. They enable creative lighting designs without excessive energy consumption, thus respecting the principles of sustainable urban planning.

4. Lighting Regulations in Urban Planning: When designing outdoor lighting, it is essential to comply with urban planning regulations and local ordinances. These regulations often address issues such as light pollution, light trespass, and the type of lighting fixtures permitted. Compliance ensures that your outdoor lighting contributes positively to the neighborhood and does not disrupt the urban environment.

In summary, custom outdoor lighting solutions for city gardens and rooftop terraces have evolved to offer not only functionality, but also artistic expression. These solutions can transform urban outdoor spaces into enchanting realms of beauty and safety. With ambient lighting, path and security lighting, energy-efficient options and careful attention to urban lighting regulations, you can illuminate your urban oasis with grace and responsibility, creating a welcoming haven in the heart of the city.

Why use a landscaper for a urban garden ?

At SIMONSON LANDSCAPE, we support you in the design and realization of your garden in the city. Seek advice on plans or the complete realization of your urban garden, anything is possible. After listening carefully to your needs, we imagine the urban garden that meets your expectations, but also meets the constraints of your outdoor space. Following this step, we are then able to design and realize your city garden. You thus have an expert vision of your garden that meets both your aesthetic criteria but also the technical requirements of your space.

SIMONSON LANDSCAPE, specialist in urban gardens, received the “Prix de la palette végétale” in Chaumont-sur-Loire (41), the Audience Prize at the Côte d'Azur Festival at Villa Rothschild in Cannes (06), and the Special Jury Prize of the European Garden Heritage Network (EGHN) with the Terres de Promesses garden for the Jardins de la Paix in Souain-Perthes-lès-Hurlus (51) with Arts & Jardins Hauts-de-France. 

Do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions and accompany you on your drought-tolerant garden project !