Title Exploring the Characteristics of Rooftop Gardens as Urban Green Spaces Through Case Studies in Seoul
Authors 이자윤(Lee, Jayoon) ; 박소현(Park, Sohyun)
DOI https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.7.157
Page pp.157-168
ISSN 2733-6247
Keywords Rooftop garden; Urban green space; Access route; Development characteristics
Abstract As urban areas grow denser and green space becomes unevenly distributed, rooftop gardens have emerged as alternative green spaces that improve daily access to nature. While previous studies have largely emphasized public access, a more systematic analysis of rooftop garden characteristics is needed. This study examines 14 rooftop garden cases in Seoul to identify their features as urban green spaces, focusing on planning approaches, access routes, and activity spaces. Findings showed that rooftop garden development differed depending on the building stage. New constructions often included rooftop gardens to meet G-SEED requirements and committee review standards, whereas existing buildings tended to rely on public support programs. Gardens created during new construction displayed greater variety in design, highlighting the importance of policy support during the building design phase. In terms of accessibility, rooftop gardens with direct street-level access offered the highest convenience and served effectively as open green spaces. In contrast, those accessed through internal routes had more limited public use. Additionally, rooftop gardens functioned as spaces for recreation and events, highlighting the value of management strategies such as private operator involvement. These insights support future planning and design efforts for rooftop gardens as accessible urban green spaces.