Mass public transit is a green, environmentally friendly mode of transportation on its own, and now Dutch firm Mecanoo Architecten is taking that concept to the extreme with a literally green train station. Like Grand Central or Tokyo Station, Kaohsiung Station will be the hub of the Taiwanese underground -- but, above ground, it will be lush with a verdant garden and park system.

The complete project consists of three layers: at bottom, the train station will carry more than 40,000 passengers daily. Above that is a sleek, open plaza with a skylight and wrap-around windows to maximize natural light access. Finally, on top will be the open air garden which will function as both a park and bicycle path.

The green train station will occupy 8.5 hectares within central Kaohsiung.