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Urban green infrastructure (UGI) plays a vital role in mitigating climate change risks, including urban development-induced warming. The effective maintenance and monitoring of UGI are essential for detecting early signs of water stress and preventing potential fire hazards. Recent research shows that plants close their stomata under limited soil moisture availability, leading to an increase in leaf temperature. Multi-spectral cameras can detect thermal differentiation during periods of water stress and well-watered conditions. This paper examines the thermography of five characteristic green wall and green roof plant types (Pachysandra terminalis, Lonicera nit. Hohenheimer, Rubus tricolor, Liriope muscari Big Blue, and Hedera algeriensis Bellecour) under different levels of water stress compared to a well-watered reference group measured by thermal cameras. The experiment consists of a (1) pre-test experiment identifying the suitable number of days to create three different levels of water stress, and (2) the main experiment tested the suitability of thermal imaging with a drone to detect water stress in plants across three different dehydration stages. The thermal images were captured analyzed from three different types of green infrastructure. The method was suitable to detect temperature differences between plant types, between levels of water stress, and between GI types. The results show that leaf temperatures were approximately 1–3 °C warmer for water-stressed plants on the green walls, and around 3–6 °C warmer on the green roof compared to reference plants with differences among plant types. These insights are particularly relevant for UGI maintenance strategies and regulations, offering valuable information for sustainable urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Türkiye's earthquake zone, primarily located along the North Anatolian Fault, is one of the world's most seismically active regions, frequently experiencing devastating earthquakes, such as the one in Hatay in 2023. Therefore, reconstructing energy-efficient buildings after major earthquakes enhances disaster resilience and promotes energy efficiency through retrofitting, renovation, or demolition and reconstruction. To this end, this study proposes implementing energy-efficient design solutions in dwelling units to minimize energy consumption in new buildings in Hatay, Southern Turkiye, an area affected by the 2023 earthquake. This research focused on a five-story residential building in the district of Kurtlusarımazı, incorporating small-scale Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) with thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with the application of a green wall surrounding the building. ANSYS Fluent v.R2 Software was used for a numerical investigation of the small-scale IceWind turbine, and DesignBuilder Software v.6.1.0.006 was employed to simulate the baseline model and three energy-efficient design strategies. The results demonstrated that small-scale VAWTs, PV panels, and the application of a green wall reduced overall energy use by 8.5%, 18%, and 4.1%, respectively. When all strategies were combined, total energy consumption was reduced by up to 28.5%. The results of this study could guide designers in constructing innovative energy-efficient buildings following extensive demolition such as during the 2023 earthquake in Hatay, Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combustion processes are the primary source of fine particulate matter in indoor air. Since the 1970s, plants have been extensively studied for their potential to reduce indoor air pollution. Leaves can retain particles on their surfaces, influenced by factors such as wax content and the presence of hairs. This study introduces an innovative experimental approach using metal oxide particles in an office-like environment to evaluate the depolluting effect of plant walls. Two plant walls were installed in a controlled room, housing three plant species: Aglaonema commutatum 'Silver Bay', Dracaena fragrans, and Epipremnum aureum. Metal oxide particles were introduced via a compressed air blower positioned between the two walls. The concentration of these particles was monitored using PM2.5 sensors, and the deposition of iron (Fe) on the leaves was quantified through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This novel methodology effectively demonstrated the utility of both real-time sensors and ICP-MS in quantifying airborne particle concentrations and leaf deposition, respectively. The results revealed that Dracaena fragrans had a 44% higher Fe particle retention rate compared to the control (wallpaper). However, further validation through methodological replication is necessary to confirm the reproducibility of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problems of today’s world, particularly climate change and air pollution, require the search for sustainable and green buildings in urban environments and the people who inhabit them. General population and construction industry has emitted pollutants such as carbon dioxide to the atmosphere due to urbanization and rise in vehicles. In addition to that, the products employed in construction express a caliber of polluting the air. Urban facades and the materials used for construction in cities can often have a significant impact on aggravating air pollution. The implementation of green walls on building’s facade and other structures can be considered as the proper substitute to utilizing the stone and cement as those materials minimize the emission of air pollutants and add the better aesthetics to the city environment. The main objectives of this research are to describe and introduce a new method of applying green facades for buildings and structures using plants which have even greater abilities at absorbing pollutants and are simpler in application and management in comparison with other systems of green walls. In the first stage, the known green wall systems and along with suitable plants were introduced and studied through library studies and accordingly the most compatible plants for the studied area, considering the climate of Iran, specially Tehran which is the most polluted city in Iran, were identified. The ENVI-met application was used subsequently to determine the most appropriate model or plant to combat the pollutants in the environment.

The greening of buildings' facades is not a new practice; it has been used since ancient times for protection and aesthetic purposes. Nowadays, the approach used towards the greening of facades has changed considerably. Vertical greenery systems (VGS) have been proposed as one of the innovative solutions to promote sustainable building functions. Present-day facade greenery not only offers traditional architectural potential but also incorporates advanced materials and technologies to adapt to the requirements of modern urban life. In recent years, the number of buildings that use this technology has increased considerably, and accordingly, the technology involved and the methods of application have changed to be in line with the new necessities. Various types of VGS have been introduced to provide users with a wider range of options that are applicable in different climates and conditions. As a result, different methods of VGS implementation have been adopted; however, there is no established standardization for VGS designs or their variations. Choosing the proper type of VGS is a crucial step in the decision-making process for VGS design. In this research, we provide an overview of the most significant existing classifications of vertical greenery systems and propose a comprehensive classification based on an analysis of their features and classification criteria. Moreover, influential factors in VGS design are investigated. This article presents a comprehensive framework for the sustainable design of vertical greenery systems by outlining the primary parameters that are crucial to identifying and selecting the most suitable type of VGS. The framework also incorporates design aspects, thus stressing the necessity of considering changes to attributes that could affect the overall functionality of a VGS and, as a result, impact the decision-making process. The results of this study provide a valuable resource to systematically study greenery systems, and their parameters, and also to make informed decisions that are aligned with current the sustainability objectives of future research in terms of cost, energy consumption, and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Conservative Party has usually done well in rural areas, but its 'green wall' is now under threat from Labour more than the Liberal Democrats. Farmers did not support Brexit any more than the general population, and in income terms they are currently doing well, but fear for the future. In addition, food security issues are more complex than they are portrayed, as are the relations with the devolved governments. In Scotland, the government there is much more popular among Scottish farmers whilst the government in Wales is doing much worse among farming communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green wall systems have been introduced all over the world as a sustainable solution to combat the hot environment inside buildings and provide thermal comfort by improving the thermal efficiency of the buildings. This study aims to find out whether green walls can be used to manage the inside thermal conditions of Aqaba buildings. It is intended to lessen the impact of Aqaba's harsh warm climate on internal building spaces and achieve a thermal comfort level. A physical live experiment was used to detect the thermal impact of green walls on internal spaces. The thermal performances of two identical real-scale test rooms, one of which had a fixed green facade, were compared. This study concludes that green facades have a significant potential to promote buildings' thermal behaviour in the hot summer of Aqaba and thermally similar regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green walls and roofs are sustainable building systems with several benefits. However, the irrigation requirements of these building systems conflict with water sustainability goals in water-scarce places. This study investigates using greywater directly to irrigate ornamental species for such situations by examining the effects of freshwater and greywater irrigation on Ruellia tuberosa growth, plant health and soil characteristics. Five replicates for each condition were grown for 91 days. Greywater irrigation led to a 15% higher plant growth height, a 31% higher plant biomass (p = 0.065), and a 71% increase in stem biomass (p < 0.001) compared to freshwater irrigation. However, greywater-irrigated plants had reduced chlorophyll content (10.7%, p < 0.001), and increased leaf chlorosis (p = 0.003), likely caused by stress from laundry and detergent chemicals. Greywater irrigation led to greater mineral content in greywater-irrigated plant biomass and soil for all minerals tested, most notably boron, which was deficient in the soil. Greywater-irrigated soil also had a higher organic content according to FTIR and electron dispersive spectroscopy. Greywater irrigation improved nutritional and soil conditions, including phosphate, which helped Ruellia tuberosa flourish. This study suggests raw greywater can replace freshwater in water-scarce climates for green wall irrigation instead of high-energy onsite greywater treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing in urbanization and uncontrolled development of cities over the last decade, designing public urban green spaces as nature-based solutions has become imperative due to their positive health and economic impacts. The Qasrodasht neighborhood in Shiraz, Iran has suffered from haphazard construction and loss of public open space. This study demonstrates the potential for expanding and revitalizing urban public green spaces in Qasrodasht by proposing a framework for designing them in the vertical dimension. 25 experts in urban planning, design, and architecture were interviewed extensively. The interview questions were selected via literature review and SWOT analysis, with each interview lasting 20 min online. The data were analyzed and presented in a table. Ultimately, this study presents design alternatives, a framework for vertically-oriented public green space design, and policies and strategies for implementing such designs in Qasrodasht through expert interviews.

Vertical greenery systems (VGS) have been proposed as a nature-based solution to mitigate the adverse effects of urban heat islands and climate change in cities. However, large-scale VGS are costly and require ongoing maintenance, typically carried out manually through trial and error based on professional experience. Advanced management is essential for the sustainability of VGS due to its limited accessibility and associated costs. To address these challenges, we examined the use of remote sensing methods for outdoor VGS monitoring as a basis for a precision agriculture approach for VGS management and maintenance. This study presents the first ongoing monitoring of real-scale VGS using thermal, hyperspectral, and RGB vegetation indices. These indices were employed for the early detection of vegetation stress, focusing on two case studies exhibiting visible yellowing symptoms. Through the application of unsupervised classification techniques, stressed pixels were successfully detected 14–35 days before visual yellowing, achieving an accuracy of 0.85–0.91. Additionally, the thermal index provided valuable information regarding the spatial distribution of watering along the VGS. Stress maps based on noninvasive methods were demonstrated, forming the basis of a spatial decision support system capable of detecting issues related to plant vitality and VGS irrigation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity for indoor plants including green wall systems to remove specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is well documented in the literature; however under realistic settings, indoor occupants are exposed to a complex mixture of harmful compounds sourced from various emission sources. Gasoline vapour is one of the key sources of these emissions, with several studies demonstrating that indoor occupants in areas surrounding gasoline stations or with residentially attached garages are exposed to far higher concentrations of harmful VOCs. Here we assess the potential of a commercial small passive green wall system, commercially named the 'LivePicture Go' from Ambius P/L, Australia, to drawdown VOCs that comprise gasoline vapour, including total VOC (TVOC) removal and specific removal of individual speciated VOCs over time. An 8-h TVOC removal efficiency of 42.45% was achieved, along with the complete removal of eicosane, 1,2,3-trimethyl-benzene, and hexadecane. Further, the green wall also effectively reduced concentrations of a range of harmful benzene derivatives and other VOCs. These results demonstrate the potential of botanical systems to simultaneously remove a wide variety of VOCs, although future research is needed to improve upon and ensure efficiency of these systems over time and within practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of sustainable development gives greenery an important role in urban planning, namely, by recognizing its environmental potential. However, the rapid urbanization that most cities have experienced in the absence of a sustainable urban policy has led to the establishment of urban realms dominated by manmade constructions. This research aims to evaluate the greening's effect on the urban climate within the semi-arid city of Djelfa (Algeria) during summertime by assigning the most appropriate greenery strategy to ensure optimal thermal conditions. Using a numerical model built with the ENVI-met tool and validated through measurements in situ, four different scenarios are simulated, starting with the existing area and then changing the greenery strategies. The outputs include meteorological parameters and thermal comfort indices (PET and UTCI). The results show that the green area generates a cool island within the urban fabric, with the peak daytime air temperature being reduced by about 4.75 °C. Vegetation densification in the urban space has a higher cooling performance than greening buildings during the daytime. In the evening, the canopy effect of trees is lower and the wind velocity is reduced, which is the main driver in cooling the city at nighttime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Türkiye’s earthquake zone, primarily located along the North Anatolian Fault, is one of the world’s most seismically active regions, frequently experiencing devastating earthquakes, such as the one in Hatay in 2023. Therefore, reconstructing energy-efficient buildings after major earthquakes enhances disaster resilience and promotes energy efficiency through retrofitting, renovation, or demolition and reconstruction. To this end, this study proposes implementing energy-efficient design solutions in dwelling units to minimize energy consumption in new buildings in Hatay, Southern Turkiye, an area affected by the 2023 earthquake. This research focused on a five-story residential building in the district of Kurtlusarımazı, incorporating small-scale Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) with thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with the application of a green wall surrounding the building. ANSYS Fluent v.R2 Software was used for a numerical investigation of the small-scale IceWind turbine, and DesignBuilder Software v.6.1.0.006 was employed to simulate the baseline model and three energy-efficient design strategies. The results demonstrated that small-scale VAWTs, PV panels, and the application of a green wall reduced overall energy use by 8.5%, 18%, and 4.1%, respectively. When all strategies were combined, total energy consumption was reduced by up to 28.5%. The results of this study could guide designers in constructing innovative energy-efficient buildings following extensive demolition such as during the 2023 earthquake in Hatay, Türkiye.

Combustion processes are the primary source of fine particulate matter in indoor air. Since the 1970s, plants have been extensively studied for their potential to reduce indoor air pollution. Leaves can retain particles on their surfaces, influenced by factors such as wax content and the presence of hairs. This study introduces an innovative experimental approach using metal oxide particles in an office-like environment to evaluate the depolluting effect of plant walls. Two plant walls were installed in a controlled room, housing three plant species: Aglaonema commutatum ‘Silver Bay’, Dracaena fragrans, and Epipremnum aureum. Metal oxide particles were introduced via a compressed air blower positioned between the two walls. The concentration of these particles was monitored using PM2.5 sensors, and the deposition of iron (Fe) on the leaves was quantified through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This novel methodology effectively demonstrated the utility of both real-time sensors and ICP-MS in quantifying airborne particle concentrations and leaf deposition, respectively. The results revealed that Dracaena fragrans had a 44% higher Fe particle retention rate compared to the control (wallpaper). However, further validation through methodological replication is necessary to confirm the reproducibility of these findings.

Ground-based vertical greening is one of the well-known nature-based solutions that is widely used in city centres due to its small footprint and the large surface area of vegetation. Although the impact of vertical greening on the local microclimate has already been extensively researched, there is a poor understanding of the impact of vertical greening on historic building fabrics. The impact of vertical greening on microclimate environments has primarily been researched through in situ case-study monitoring; as such, there are currently no standard protocols for investigating this impact in laboratory studies. By performing simulations in controlled laboratory conditions, the influence of vertical greening on specific environmental conditions can be assessed as well as the significance for key mechanisms, such as the insulation capacity of a vegetation layer. Experimental results on the insulation capacity of vertical greening illustrate that the presence of vertical greening reduces the rate of heat exchange between the wall and the surrounding environment compared to the bare wall, resulting in a delayed temperature response of the wall. This delay varies across the seasons or its intensity, which is represented, for instance, by a more pronounced delay in the wall's surface temperature response in summer than in winter. However, the magnitude of the insulation capacity is more pronounced in winter (up to +2.1 °C) compared to summertime. The insulation capacity of vertical greening is more likely to have a significant impact on façades with a lack of solar irradiation, such as façades facing north or shaded by built surroundings. This experimental investigation can help build an understanding of these processes more fundamentally and support the interpretation of in situ case-study monitoring as well as provide a standardized approach to investigate the environmental performance of vertical greening across climatic regions and seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of energy consumption is attributed to buildings. Buildings designed with environmentally sustainable features have the potential to reduce energy consumption. The demolition of ecologically detrimental structures incurs expenses and damages the natural environment. The act of constructing models for the purpose of destruction was deemed superfluous. The replication of the structural model was accompanied by a modification of the design, and a variety of tactics were employed. The proposed upgrades for the building include the installation of new windows, incorporation of greenery on the walls and roof, implementation of insulation, and integration of solar panels in a four-story residential building in Najran, Saudi Arabia. Simultaneously installing insulation prior to changing windows will ensure that the energy consumption of the building, green wall, or green roof will remain unaffected. The installation of solar panels on the walls and top roof of a structure has the potential to generate a monthly electricity output up to two times greater than the structure's consumption. The spas can be heated on a daily basis by substituting the heating system with solar collectors. The implementation of sustainable building practices has resulted in a significant reduction in energy consumption. Specifically, electricity, gas, heating, and cooling consumption decreased by 11%, 85%, 28%, and 83%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the growing trend of urban green infrastructures, particularly green façade systems, in terms of their infrastructural relationships between nature and culture and their potential to act as bioclimatic layers mediating between the needs of flora, fauna and human habitation. An interdisciplinary approach is taken by combining the perspectives of social and engineering sciences to discuss the contribution of green façade systems for more-than-human conviviality in cities. Green infrastructures can support this endeavor by enabling functions that help to integrate the heterogeneity typical for semi-natural structures into urban ones, especially regarding microclimatic and biodiversity-enhancing functions. The theoretical distinction between "gray", "green", and "revolutionary" infrastructure is used to differentiate between conventional and posthumanist conceptualizations of urban naturecultures. The performance of the UNA TERRA living wall prototype as a green and revolutionary infrastructure is evaluated. The results show that the living wall has beneficial microclimatic effects and adds a heterogeneous habitat structure that supports biodiversity in the urban context. By adhering to "egalitarian humility" in design, the uncertainty and openness of more-than-human conviviality are acknowledged. The study finds that green infrastructures such as green façade systems can fulfill the criteria of revolutionary infrastructure if the contribution to local biodiversity and structural complexity is prioritized and the heterogeneous interrelations between human and non-human actors are taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating nature into the buildings through green roofs and walls is considered a sustainable strategy in current city development. However, studies on organic waste growing media that allow appropriate plant establishment in these systems are insignificant and yet challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the stability of the Frankenia thymifolia cover plant in four combinations of growing media (30% cocopeat + 65% perlite + 5% vermicompost, 30% leaf litter + 65% perlite + 5% vermicompost, 30% mushroom compost + 65% perlite + 5% vermicompost, and the typical soil used in the green spaces as the control) in the external green wall conditions. The study was a split-plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was the different seasons in four levels, and the second was the growing media in four levels. Also, at the end of the study, the characteristics of the substrates were tested as a randomized complete block design experiment with three replications. The morpho-physiological traits of the Frankenia plant and the physicochemical characteristics under different growing media were significantly different (p≤0.01). The results showed that leaf surface features, leaf water content, chlorophyll a, b and total, carotenoid, and all the root-related traits were higher in the plants grown in the organic matter growing medium than those grown in the typical soil. Also, better physicochemical attributes (lower bulk density, porosity, less ash, more air volume, and more acidity) were observed in organic growing medium in comparison with the typical soil. The results of this research confirmed the favorable effect of using washed mushroom compost along with perlite and vermicompost instead of the common imported green wall substrates. It also suggests using the Frankenia in climates similar to Mashhad yearround in the external green wall systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low quality of the air is becoming a major concern in urban areas. High values of particulate matter (PM) concentrations and various pollutants may be very dangerous for human health and the global environment. The challenge to overcome the problem with the air quality includes efforts to improve healthy air not only by reducing emissions, but also by modifying the urban morphology to reduce the exposure of the population to air pollution.The aim of this contribution is to analyse the influence of the green zones on air quality mitigation through sensor measurements, and to identify the correlation with the meteorological factors. Actually, the objective focuses on identifying the most significant correlation between PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations and the wind speed, as well as a negative correlation between the PM concentrations and wind speed across different measurement locations. Additionally, the estimation of slight correlation between the PM concentrations and the real feel temperature is detected, while insignificant correlations are found between the PM concentrations and the actual temperature, pressure, and humidity.In this paper the effect of the pandemic restriction rules COVID-19 lockdowns and the period without restriction are investigated. The sensor data collected before the pandemic (summer months in 2018), during the global pandemic (summer months 2020), and after the period with restriction measures (2022) are analysed.

Vertical greening systems (VGSs) represent an emerging technology within the field of building-integrated horticulture that have been used to help counteract the global issues of urbanisation and climate change. Research and development within the field of building-integrated horticulture, despite being in the infancy stage, is steadily progressing, highlighting a broad range of achievable social, environmental, and economic benefits this sustainable development technology could provide. However, as VGS technology is relatively new, an array of different designs and technologies have been categorized collectively as VGSs, each having various performances towards the proposed and desired benefits. The purpose of this paper is to review existing VGS technologies and analyse the impact of implementation on sustainable development, and subsequently to propose a new VGS design that theoretically achieves the best possible outcomes when aiming to obtain the maximum benefits of installing a VGS. The resultant design creates new opportunities for VGS environmental amenities and maintenance, increases the scope of applications, and improves the environmental performance of the host building. The proposed design has the potential to transform VGSs beyond conventional functions of aesthetic greening to create novel ecosystems, which enhances the formation of habitats for a more diverse range of flora and fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green spaces have become the most threatened by urban growth, and the decline in these areas is a main cause of environmental and social problems with implications for human health and well-being. Vertical greenery systems have been proposed as a solution to restore the connection between the city and nature, particularly in compact and dense cities, where horizontal space is limited. This paper provides a literature review to examine the influence of outdoor and indoor vertical greenery systems on human health and well-being. The Web of Science and Scopus databases were chosen to survey peer-reviewed documents published until October 2022. A total of 73 documents were selected by the search. Over 71% of the documents were published over the last four years, and most of them focused on the environmental and thermal benefits of vertical greenery systems. Although these benefits could bring health and well-being outcomes, they were not objectively measured and quantified. Other additional gaps and guidelines for future research were also identified and discussed. This review could be helpful for researchers and urban planners in developing vertical greenery to create healthy and more sustainable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continuous living wall is a vertical garden that allows the cultivation of a wide variety of species on vertical surfaces, consisting of a sequence of layers that shade and add thermal resistance to the external façades of buildings. Thus, the living wall can be an alternative to increase the thermal efficiency of the building and reduce the use of air conditioning for cooling the indoor environment. This work experimentally investigated the thermal influence of a continuous living wall on the surface temperatures of an east façade in a subtropical climate with hot summers (Cfa), during the summer period. The experiment included the implementation of a real living wall in a seasonally used building and the delimitation of two sample plots (i.e., protected and bare wall). Campaigns were carried out to measure the external and internal surface temperatures of the protected plot, the living wall, and the bare wall, as well as the cavity air temperature, from 08:00 to 17:45, at 15-min intervals. The results show the efficiency of the living wall in reducing the external (up to 10.6 °C) and internal (up to 2.9 °C) surface temperatures of the protected plot compared to the bare wall, along with a reduction in thermal variation (average reduction of 6.5 °C externally and 3.6 °C internally) and an increase in thermal delay (up to 6 h for external and 1 h for internal), in addition to a reduction in temperature and greater thermal stability of the cavity between the garden and the protected land in comparison to the external space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living walls are fast becoming a ubiquitous feature of modern living and are widely implemented in commercial buildings in both internal and external environments. However, there are several challenges associated with maintaining healthy plant growth on these water sensitive urban design systems. This experimental study of an instrumented prototype-scale living wall has found that there is a close relationship between the plants, substrates and adopted irrigation regimes. In this study, plant selection was found to be more critical than either substrate or irrigation regime selection. This research also found that both the location of the plants on the wall and irrigation volume significantly affected the plants' ultimate total dry weight. In particular, plants were found to grow taller on the upper section of the living wall compared to the middle and lower sections. It is recommended that particular attention should be given to plant location and the amount of irrigation water supplied at different positions on the living wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global temperatures have continued to rise for decades, partly due to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and subsequent urban heat island (UHI) effects. This current research examines the benefits of urban greenery by studying the impact of green roofs and walls of a building on thermal behavior and heat transfer in a warm and humid climate. This simulation study discusses the importance of greening systems in improving thermal comfort and minimizing the causes of UHI by assessing an integrated green building design. Using the simulation software DesignBuilder, the significance of greening systems, green roofs, and walls in enhancing thermal comfort and reducing the factors that contribute to UHI is investigated. The simulation results are based on the building's energy usage in hot and humid regions while featuring green roofs and walls. The simulation results indicate a considerable positive impact of greening systems in improving the urban environment in hot and humid tropical climates. Air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, and solar gain are decreased by urban greening. The total energy consumption and district cooling demand of buildings with green roofs and walls are reduced by 10.5% and 13%, respectively. The greening systems substantially improve air quality and building's energy efficiency. Thus, the present study's findings can benefit urban designers and dwellers in devising strategies for establishing green spaces in congested urban environments by integrating green technologies and systems into built environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, various green wall systems for on-site wastewater treatment have been developed and investigated. One of them, the vertECO®, was created by alchemia-nova and consists of aerated basins aligned stepwise vertically in series having a subsurface horizontal flow hydraulic regime. The system has proven effective for treatment of greywater and the liquid fraction of blackwater in previous studies. To the authors knowledge this study is the first to demonstrate the treatment efficiency of a full-scale green wall system receiving all fractions of domestic wastewater. Four parallel vertECO® system modules were used, with 2 m long basins, receiving a total of 500 L/d of mechanically pre-treated wastewater from an eco-village in Austria. vertECO® purified water is stored in integrated tanks underneath the system and ozonated three times per day while being recirculated in the treated water tanks, aiming at water and nutrient reuse in the local agriculture. Wastewater feeding started in May 2022 and the sampling period extends from November 2022 till July 2023. The organic loading rate based on the cross-sectional surface area (OLR cs) of the systems amounts to 57 g BOD 5 /m2d and 48 g TN/m2d. vertECO® effluent results show that average values are already below EU water reuse regulation thresholds for reclaimed water quality class C (only drip irrigation), and the average effluent values after vertECO® and ozonation combined are below thresholds for class B (BOD 5 ≤ 25 mg/L, TSS ≤ 35 mg/L Legionella <1000 CFU/L and E. coli ≤ 100 CFU/100 mL) and meet Austrian local permit requirements with an average of BOD 5 < 3 mg/L, TSS 1.3 mg/L, Legionella <1 CFU/L and E. coli result of 65 CFU/100 mL, whereas singular sampling event results even reach EU reuse class A (e.g., additional raw eaten vegetables and more can be irrigated). • The vertECO® green wall system was successfully implemnted for treating primary treated domestic wastewater. • With vertECO® and ozonation combined, average effluent values could reach EU water reuse class B. • Already after the vertECO® alone, i.e., without ozonation, the EU water reuse class C could be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity of indoor plants including green walls to capture, deposit and remediate individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been well documented. However, in realistic settings, plant systems are exposed to a complex mixture of VOCs from highly varied various emission sources. Gasoline vapour is one of the major sources of these emissions, containing high concentrations of the carcinogens benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). Using both solid phase micro extraction (SPME) and quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) sampling techniques, we assessed the dynamics of individual speciated gasoline VOC phytoremediation from the air and uptake within green wall plant species and growth substrates within a small passive green wall system, along with quantifying the phenotypic changes within the plant-associated bacterial communities resulting from gasoline exposure. Over 8 h the green wall system achieved 100% removal of atmospheric benzene, 1,2,3-trimethyl, eicosane and hexadecane, benzene 1,3-diethyl-; 1,3,5 cycloheptatriene,7- ethyl and carbonic acid eicosyl vinyl ester. All plant species tested demonstrated the accumulation 45 petrochemical VOCs (pVOCs) with Spathiphyllum wallisii successfully accumulating the majority of pVOC functional groups after 24 h of gasoline exposure. Within the plants phyllospheric bacterial communities, changes in both cellular complexity and granularity appeared to increase as a result of gasoline exposure, while cell size diminished. This work provides novel findings on the VOC removal processes of botanical systems for realistic and highly toxic VOC profiles. [Display omitted] • All plant species demonstrated an accumulation of a number of petrochemical VOC's. • S. wallisi was observed as the most efficient accumulating the majority of pVOC functional groups after 24 h of gasoline exposure. • Gasoline exposure appeared to favour shifts to smaller less complex and lower DNA active microbial communities within soil and rhizosphere regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is currently the most crucial environmental problem, and policies on responses to climate change are actively being promoted worldwide. Particularly, greenhouse gas emissions in the city have been a continuous reminder of the need to reduce the effects of climate change. There has been interest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions using the green wall. Therefore, this research analyzed the temperature reduction characteristics and performance evaluation of the green wall system based on monitored data. The target area selected was public building. The monitoring point of the wall was the front of the wall with the installation point (glass and behind the green wall), and readings were taken for 10 min. The results of the analysis showed that the surface temperature of the building was affected by the performance of the green wall point during working hours (09:00 to 18:00). Finally, the data and greenhouse gas emissions were analyzed the data and greenhouse gas emissions of 45 to 72 %. • In this research, the effects of the green wall system on the reduction of the temperature of the building surface were analyzed, and performance of the green wall system was evaluated. • Analyzing the change in the temperature of the building's surface over time, the temperature between 12:00 and 17:00 tended to change considerably during the dry period. It was determined that this was affected by sunlight time, and the temperature was lower than that at the point where green wall was applied. • The temperature changes during working hours(09:00–18:00), the performance of the green wall introduction point is distinctly observed. Moreover, in the case of green wall points seems to have the advantage of maintaining the building surface temperature at a stable value. • Cooling energy savings can be expected due to the difference in surface temperature between the green wall installation point and the non-installation point. According to the simulation results of this research, the introduction of the green wall surface will result in a total required power of 104,583 KW/month, CO 2 emission reduction of 48.0 tCO 2 eq/month. • Therefore, the results show that the green wall system can be used as an efficient energy-independence technology for buildings in urban areas. In the future, it is necessary to conduct a long-term data-based performance evaluation through additional research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical greenery systems (VGS) have been proposed as a nature-based solution to mitigate the adverse effects of urban heat islands and climate change in cities. However, large-scale VGS are costly and require ongoing maintenance, typically carried out manually through trial and error based on professional experience. Advanced management is essential for the sustainability of VGS due to its limited accessibility and associated costs. To address these challenges, we examined the use of remote sensing methods for outdoor VGS monitoring as a basis for a precision agriculture approach for VGS management and maintenance. This study presents the first ongoing monitoring of real-scale VGS using thermal, hyperspectral, and RGB vegetation indices. These indices were employed for the early detection of vegetation stress, focusing on two case studies exhibiting visible yellowing symptoms. Through the application of unsupervised classification techniques, stressed pixels were successfully detected 14–35 days before visual yellowing, achieving an accuracy of 0.85–0.91. Additionally, the thermal index provided valuable information regarding the spatial distribution of watering along the VGS. Stress maps based on noninvasive methods were demonstrated, forming the basis of a spatial decision support system capable of detecting issues related to plant vitality and VGS irrigation management.

Green Wall systems (GW) can be considered suitable solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of urbanisation and climate change. However, although they present similar hydrological processes to other green infrastructure solutions, only a few studies have evaluated their hydrological efficiency. In this regard, the proper evaluation of the growing media's unsaturated hydraulic properties, which are directly linked to the retention capacity, is crucial. Based on this background, the analysis of the green wall systems' hydrological processes is a key aspect of urban hydrology, and it represents a gap to be solved. Thus, we present several experimental investigations on different substrates used as construction materials for a GW coupled with a physically based approach applying the HYDRUS-1D model to identify good growing media to be used in the GW construction under the Mediterranean climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of greywater (GW, wastewater share excluding toilet flush) through green walls can be beneficial for urban areas, favouring the diffusion of urban vegetation and reducing potable water consumption. Multiple challenges hinder the treatment performance of green walls, including the composition of the filtering material, the number of levels—i.e., rows—and the age of the system. This study investigated graphene as an additive (5%v) to a filtering medium made of coconut fibre, perlite and biochar in an open-air green wall with pots arranged into three levels. The performance of GW treatment was quantified by comparing the physicochemical features of inflow and outflow samples collected weekly over two months. Samples were also collected at each level of the green wall, and the performance of two analogous systems different by age for three months were compared. The results showed that graphene did not significantly improve treatment performance, except for the first level (e.g., 48% vs. 15% for COD, 72% vs. 51% for TSS, with and without graphene respectively). Moreover, GW treatment mostly happened along the first two levels of the green wall, with marginal depletion (e.g., 15% vs. 7% for NH4+-N) after three months of operational time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The lack of space in cities has favoured the development of vertical gardens in indoor and outdoor environments. For an adequate development and appearance of the plants in these living walls, it is necessary to provide nutrients (usually by means of fertigation). One of the main limitations is the difficulty in obtaining a uniform distribution of nutrients, especially in felt systems. The objective of this research was to identify whether the distribution of nutrients (particularly iron and phosphorous) applied by fertigation in a felt living wall depended on the species used and the location of the plants in height. Three modules of a Fytotextile® felt-based living wall were used, each module containing three columns of different species: Soleirolia soleirolii, Philodendron hederaceum, and Nephrolepis exaltata. Fertigation was applied using a Hoagland–Arnon solution for 4 months. Measurements of leaf area, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), chlorophyll meter readings (CMR), fresh and dry weight, and P and Fe concentration were carried out for each of the plants. Comparing variables within the same species at different heights showed no significant differences in the variables. This means that the distribution of nutrients along the living wall (especially in height) was uniform. It is important to note that these results could vary for other types of living walls or for other configurations of the fertigation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]