The ecological vision of Italian architect Stefano Boeri is starting to take shape with two of his ‘vertical forest towers’ soon to be constructed in Switzerland and Milan. But it is in the Southern Chinese region of Liuzhou where he will realize his largest project ever – a ‘Forest City’ that is designed to soak up some of that country's infamous air pollution. What makes this project so unique is that the entire city will be covered in trees and plants – not just in the parks, gardens and city streets, but on the facades of all of the buildings as well.

There will be a total of more than 40,000 trees and almost one million plants. It is projected to absorb an estimated 10,000 tons of C02 and 57 tons of pollutants each year, while producing 900 tons of oxygen. This experimental city will have about 30,000 residents, and its buildings will get all of their power from geothermal energy and rooftop solar panels. It is located north of the existing city of Liuzhou, which is home to around a million and a half inhabitants. The Forest City will be connected to this metropolis by an all-electric fast rail line. Construction is currently underway, with the Liuzhou Forest City expected to be completed by 2020.