Rooftop parks can address a lack of green space, but only if they are inclusive and accessible

A study into green spaces in towers and on rooftops says elevated public parks can mitigate urban heat, improve air quality and support wellbeing – but to reap these benefits, urban planners and policymakers must tackle problems of accessibility, security and inclusivity.

 

The research paper focuses on two elevated urban spaces in London. The data was collected during walk-along interviews with 33 visitors to the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street and 33 visitors to Crossrail Place Roof Garden in Canary Wharf.

 

Both sites offer free public access to an elevated green space located in a dense urban environment reached by lift or escalator.

 

The spaces are highly valued as places to walk, socialise, relax and enjoy views. The rooftop parks are described as a “great escape” for relaxation and mental wellbeing; “a refuge from the dense urban environment.”

 

But the physical nature of rooftop gardens threw up issues specific to elevated public spaces – whether people knew about the parks, felt it was easy to access them and whether they perceived these parks as truly public spaces.

 

 

The 66 walk-along interviews were conducted with a diverse group of participants aged 18 and older, with researchers encouraging open-ended conversations to collect impressions, feelings and opinions about the space “thereby collecting rich, context specific data that traditional interviews might miss.”

 

At Sky Garden, visitors felt the space was more exclusive and private. This is partially due to its entry policy – free tickets must be booked online up to three weeks in advance, and entry is not guaranteed if capacity is reached. Visitors also undergo “stringent security checks before ascending to Level 35 via the lift.” This in combination with its lack of visibility from street level makes the space feel more less open and public.

 

“The space feels more private, given the requirement of pre-booking and the constrained one-hour visiting slot. These factors create a certain pressure, even though I’ve never been asked to vacate the premises,” said a London female resident, aged 26.

 

At the Sky Garden, 38% of participants cited walking as their primary activity, while 32% of visitors were there for a more stationary activity, such as sitting, eating or reading – the report highlights the need for non-commercial places to sit. The food on offer was described as expensive.

 

Crossrail Place was perceived as safer and more accessible – although visitors noted that they couldn’t do things as they normally would in a public park. “I can’t engage in the same activities... Picnics, sitting on the grass with my dog and listening to music aren’t possible here,” said a 28-year-old female resident of Canary Wharf.

 

 

The lack of visibility from the street at Crossrail Place was also highlighted as an accessibility issue, with first-time visitors finding it difficult to reach the garden: “The overall layout was considered perplexing and visibility was widely regarded as insufficient.”

To support the use of elevated green spaces, the report recommends a direct connection from street level to the roof garden, with symbolic greenery visible from street level to signal the presence of the public space.

 

The report also recommends minimal and unobtrusive security measures and the introduction of accessible areas where visitors can engage in activities more commonly associated with public parks to foster a stronger community and sociable feel.

 

“Inclusive accessibility within elevated urban spaces is not simply a supplementary design consideration but a fundamental pillar of their functionality and success. Ensuring comprehensive, intuitive access is paramount to enhancing the public utility and social significance of these spaces.”

 

Roughly a quarter of participants at the Sky Garden reported “discomfort due to constant surveillance” with one individual stating: “It feels like someone is watching you all the time, and that takes away from the relaxation.”  

 

The report states: “Such barriers highlight the need for design strategies that balance access control with inclusive, flexible accessibility measures, ensuring that elevated spaces serve as equitable environments that support spontaneous public engagement and cater to a broader user base.”

 

“Design and management strategies for elevated urban spaces should aim to balance safety and order with the users’ desire for freedom and publicness. Improving transparency regarding rules, relaxing pre-booking requirements, and reducing the association of seating spaces with commercial entities could help mitigate the sense of privateness and make these spaces feel more inclusive and accessible.”

 

“By addressing these issues, designers and managers can help ensure that elevated urban spaces are not only safe but also truly public, offering a balance of freedom and security that fosters a sense of community engagement.”

 

Find out more Read the full report "Elevating the public realm: a framework for designing resilient urban green spaces in hyperdense cities" by Ahmed Ehab, Gary Burnett and Tim Heath