Gardens on the roofs of high-rise buildings in Taipei have become a distinguishing feature of the city. The trend has been encouraged by the Department of Reconstruction of the Taipei City Government, which has been assisting people since 1978 to take full advantage of the space on top of buildings to help beautify the city's aspect. In the past three years, some 884 households in Taipei have established such gardens, and many more have applied for the department's services.

These applicants have been supplied with free soil, rice chaff, fertilizer, flower seedlings, seeds and literature on plant care. The department has also invited famous horticulturists to hold regular seminars and consultations on the art of cultivating flowers, vegetables and in garden design. College graduates majoring in related fields are invited to give technical instructions during holidays.

As the conditions for growing plants on rooftops are different from those at ground level, special devices and care are needed. Filters must be placed on drainpipes to prevent the flowers and leaves from blocking them. To avoid over-crowding, planting should be limited to a half or one-third of the area of the roof. The weight of plant beds should not exceed 150 kilograms per square meter so there will not be too much strain on the roof.

To prevent damage from water, the roof must first be covered by plastic sheeting. Then, after a layer of rice chaff is laid to assist drainage and ventilation, hollow bricks are arranged to form simple flower beds.

A low hedge must be installed to prevent damage to the plants from strong wind. Tall plants and trees of all kinds should be avoided, since they are certain to be destroyed during a typhoon.

These measures, coupled with the gardener's care, patience and perseverance are the best guarantee of a beautiful garden. Those who cultivate vegetables or raise fish or bees on the roof, may even make a profit from their efforts.

To stimulate further interest in rooftop gardening, the Department of Reconstruction holds regular contests. Some 43 households have been chosen as prizewinners during the past three years.

Says Yeh Huei-wu, 77, living in Kinmen St. in Taipei: "Every day at daybreak, I go up to my roof-top garden to do exercises. Since my children are all grown up and are taking care of their business and families, these plants have become, in a way, my next of kin."

As he watered the flowers, he picked a caterpillar from a stem. "The most important thing is to make sure that the plants are not afflicted with pests," he says. His particular favorite is cherry blossom, but camellias and azaleas also figure prominently in his collection.

The roof garden of Lin Yueh- chiao is like a miniature park. Setting off a green lawn, flowers and trees is a fountain pool filled with carp, and lamps which can be turned on in the evening. Other installations are benches, a nursery, a bamboo shed where green gourds are grown, and even a ping-pong room. Apart from bees and butterflies, curious neighbors are also frequent visitors to Lin's garden. "The time, money and effort I have spent have certainly been worthwhile," she says.

Apart from their beauty, the gardens act as a kind of natural air conditioner and help to purify the air in the industrial metropolis of Taipei. Another interesting side effect has been that top-floor apartments in high rises are now going for premium prices.

[Picture Caption]

1 & 2. Gardens on the roofs of high-rise buildings in Taipei have provided pleasant retreats for people to read books and engage in exercise. 3. Th e roof garden of Lin Yueh-chiao is like a miniature park. 4. Hsieh Yen-ke and his granddaughter watering flowers in the roof garden.

1. Chou Chiu-shun and his brother playing chess in a roof garden. 2. Fountain pool filled with carp is a special attraction in some roof gardens. 3. The gardens provide a paradise for children and pets alike. 4. Lin Yueh-chiao practicing fencing in her garden. 5 & 6. Beauty on the rooftop.

Gardens on the roofs of high-rise buildings in Taipei have provided pleasant retreats for people to read books and engage in exercise.

Th e roof garden of Lin Yueh-chiao is like a miniature park.

Hsieh Yen-ke and his granddaughter watering flowers in the roof garden.

Chou Chiu-shun and his brother playing chess in a roof garden.

Fountain pool filled with carp is a special attraction in some roof gardens.

The gardens provide a paradise for children and pets alike.

Lin Yueh-chiao practicing fencing in her garden.

Beauty on the rooftop.

Beauty on the rooftop.