I live in Barcelona, in a flat building. It is constructed with bricks and with terraces where people can plant few kinds of vegetables. The terraces are not so big, but their scheme is very good and allows doing so.
The building where I life is not a typical building in my town. Just because it is made of bricks, and the bricks are not covered by any kind of facing or painting. Otherwise, the design of the flats is made to achieve sun and natural light to every living-room and to every bedroom. So the only parts of the flats that have interior ventilation are the bathrooms.
I like living here because I can enjoy a good construction quality in a great city.