Vertical Greenery Research Articles

Exploratory Analysis of a Novel Modular Green Wall’s Impact on Indoor Temperature and Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings: A Case Study from Belgium

One possible solution that mitigates the effects of climate change is the implementation of vertical greenery systems, which have the potential to reduce the need for cooling and provide energy savings for heating. This paper evaluates the effects of an innovative modular green wall on indoor temperature and energy use in a residential case study building. This research was carried out on a residential house in the city of Ghent, Belgium, whose southwest facade is covered with a specific type of modular green wall (a structure with a specific substrate and plants that have the ability to purify water so that it can be reused in the house). The monitoring process included four different temperatures (in front of and behind the green wall, in the substrate, and on the wall without greenery) during winter and summer periods. To analyze the effect on the internal temperature and energy use, a DesignBuilder simulation model was built and validated against these experimental results. This green wall has proven to have the greatest effect during the hottest summer days by reducing the indoor temperature by up to 3.5 °C. It also effectively increases the indoor temperature by up to 1.4 °C on a cold winter day, leading to energy savings of 6% on an annual basis.

Green horizons: Exploring the potential of vertical green walls

The term “Green walls” also known as vertical gardens or living walls has emerged as a promising solution to combat the environmental challenges posed by rapid urbanization. This review explores the concept ornamental, plant choice suitable and benefits associated with green walls in urban settings. Utilising vegetation to cover vertical surfaces, green walls offer several benefits to the environment, society and economy. They contribute to improved air quality, noise reduction, energy conservation and biodiversity enhancement. Vertical greenery allows for the utilization of unused wall surfaces, creating green areas without occupying valuable ground space, which is often scarce in urban environments. Additionally, green walls offer aesthetic appeal, promote urban agriculture and create opportunities for community engagement. However, their implementation requires careful consideration of factors such as structural integrity, irrigation and maintenance. Despite these challenges, green walls offer a sustainable and innovative approach to enhancing the quality of urban life while mitigating the negative impacts of urban development on the environment. The current emphasis highlights the significance of green walls as an effective tool in sustainable urban planning, underscoring the need for further research and their integration into urban planning practices.

Assessing the Impact of Vertical Greenery Systems on the Thermal Performance of Walls in Mediterranean Climates

This study investigates the impact of vertical greenery systems (VGSs) applied to several typical wall configurations on indoor thermal conditions in a building module situated in the Mediterranean climate of Catania, Italy. By means of dynamic simulations in TRNSYS vers.18, the research compares the thermal behavior of walls made of either hollow clay blocks (Poroton) or lava stone blocks against a lightweight wall setup already in place at the University of Catania. The primary focus is on evaluating the VGSs’ capability of reducing peak inner surface temperatures and moderating heat flux fluctuations entering the building. The findings indicate that adding an outer vertical greenery layer to heavyweight walls can decrease the peak inner surface temperature by up to 1.0 °C compared to the same bare wall. However, the greenery’s positive impact is less pronounced than in the case of the lightweight wall. This research underscores the potential of green facades in enhancing the indoor thermal environment in buildings in regions with climates like the Mediterranean one, providing valuable insights for sustainable building design and urban planning.

Quantifying the impact of vertical greenery systems (VGS) on Mediterranean urban microclimate during heat wave events

This research investigates the potential of vertical greenery systems (VGS) to modulate the outdoor microclimate in a real-scale Mediterranean climate street canyon with respect to a non-vegetated control during four heat waves and summer conditions. The cooling effect of VGS on air temperature was assessed using an identical set of sensors in both canyons. The effect on thermal comfort was evaluated using radiation fluxes, Mr.T tool, and the ENVI-met model that was validated against measured data.The VGS cooling effect during the heat waves was up to 0.36–2.04°C, and its duration was significantly extended. The correlation (R2 = 0.75) between the cooling effect, relative humidity, and wind direction, highlights that warmer and drier conditions increase the VGS cooling effect during heat waves.VGS improved the mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) above the canyon (3.9–4.1°C) and at the pedestrian level (2.21–2.8°C), while the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and universal thermal climate index (UTCI) decreased by an average of 0.67–1.07 °C and 0.63–0.8 °C, respectively. Shaded walls improved the average Tmrt (11.7°C), PET (3.2°C), and UTCI (2.7°C), reflecting the importance of casting shadow in the urban environment.

Use of Vertical Greenery Systems for the domestic scale treatment of greywaters for fit-for-purpose reuse. Applicability and future prospects.

Abstract Only less than 1% of the Earth’s water is fit for human activities. Domestic consumption accounts for roughly 20% of all uses of water, adding pressure to the increasing water scarcity stress. Water intakes of residential buildings for all everyday uses are constituted by a high-quality resource, which is either costly to produce or conspicuous in amounts to withdraw from natural sources. The present proposal aims to test the feasibility of the application of decentralized greywater treatment strategies, based on the use of vertical greenery systems integrated into residential buildings to assess both the optimal scale of application in residential settlements and a comparative analysis on reclaimed water resource savings. The aim is to promote the circular use of water resources by allowing for fit-for-purpose employment, thus reducing the overall intake due to the residential sector. The methodology hereby proposed has been developed using as a case study the most widespread residential typologies in the Southern Italian context, such as single detachment, row houses, low and medium-rise apartment buildings. The result is the proposition for each residential typology of a retrofitting strategy that employs the integration of a green infrastructure inside the residential spaces. Until now, the Mediterranean context has been characterized by limited use of strategies directed towards the efficient employment of water resources, since the mild climatic conditions have always provided for an adequate amount of freshwater. Therefore, limited studies have been carried out on the application of those strategies in Mediterranean landscapes. However, the rapid shift in precipitation patterns due to climate change has defined the need to quickly embrace new strategies, systems, and technical solutions for improving water use efficiency and promoting reuse.

Vertical Greenery Systems as Microbial Air Quality Filters for Community Houses Located Near the Landfill Site

Vertical Greenery Systems as Microbial Air Quality Filters for Community Houses Located Near the Landfill Site

Built environment professionals’ perceptions of vertical greenery systems: a case of Delhi, India

ABSTRACT This study examines built environment professionals’ perceptions of vertical greenery systems in Delhi, a city confronting rapid urban growth and climate change challenges. Through a detailed mixed-methods approach using an online survey, this study evaluates the perceived benefits and challenges of such systems. The results indicate cautious optimism, with nearly 39% of respondents having prior experience and acknowledging their aesthetic and environmental benefits, including reducing urban heat and improving air quality. However, concerns regarding technical implementation and regular maintenance of vertical greenery systems emerge as significant barriers. This study highlights the critical need for inclusive urban planning strategies that embrace nature-based solutions, such as vertical greenery systems, to combat urban sustainability challenges considering Delhi’s distinctive climate. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of addressing the uncertainty among building owners and policymakers towards adopting these systems, despite their recognized potential for climate change mitigation. The findings advocate for further research and targeted policies to facilitate the broader application of vertical greenery systems, not only in Delhi, but also in urban settings globally facing similar environmental pressures, thereby contributing to the discourse on urban sustainability and climate resilience.

Integrating vertical greenery for complex building patterns towards sustainable urban environment

Rapid urbanization has increased the urban density and functional diversity, exacerbating environmental challenges such as urban heat islands (UHI), increased building energy consumption and carbon emissions, etc., hindering the sustainable urban development. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions that could offer the strategic cooling of urban buildings. Vertical greenery, affixed to building façades, offers a promising approach to provide benefits of cooling, energy savings, carbon reduction and urban space saving. However, there is a lack of quantitative design for integrating vertical greenery into complex urban buildings. Therefore, this study conducts a systematic investigation for low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise buildings incorporating vertical greenery, while performing comprehensive assessments on indoor and outdoor thermal conditions, building energy usage, and carbon emissions. The findings suggest that low-rise buildings benefit from a vertical greenery layout, while mid-rise and high-rise buildings are better suited for a horizontal greenery layout. Compared to scenarios without greenery, buildings with vertical greenery experience a maximum reduction of 0.66 °C in outdoor air temperature and 0.72 °C in indoor air temperature, along with a 5.9 % decrease in energy consumption and carbon emissions. This study addresses urban challenges through a quantified vertical greenery design, offering valuable insights for sustainable urban development.

Analysis of Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) on Cooling Loads on Campus Buildings in Tropical Climates

Analysis of Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) on Cooling Loads on Campus Buildings in Tropical Climates

Unlocking energy and economic benefits of integrated green envelopes in office building retrofits

Green envelopes show significant potential in energy conservation and thermal comfort enhancement in office buildings. This study presents a comprehensive method integrating field tests, building energy simulations, and optimization in office buildings in Chongqing, China. A 20-year life-cycle cost analysis was conducted to evaluate the benefits of green roofs (using sedum lineare container-type planting modules) and green façades (featuring vertical kudzu greenery systems). The results indicate that green roofs could reduce peak temperatures by up to 34.3 °C, leading to daily energy savings of 12.5 % during summer. Green façades decreased the wall exterior surface temperatures by up to 3.4 °C and 5.1 °C on the test cold and hot days, respectively. The maximum annual building electricity savings per green-modified area was 22.8 kWh/m2 for the poorly-insulated building and 5.4 kWh/m2 for the well-insulated one. This study highlights the cost-effectiveness of green envelopes in improving building efficiency. The optimal retrofit measure for the poorly-insulated building was the combination of green roofs and daylighting dimming control systems, yielding a 20-year life-cycle net savings per floor area of 81.5 CNY/m2. For the well-insulated building, the daylighting dimming control system alone provided optimal net savings per floor area of 26.4 CNY/m2.

A Systematic Review of Economic Sustainability of Vertical Greenery Systems for Buildings

A Systematic Review of Economic Sustainability of Vertical Greenery Systems for Buildings

Evaluation of Particulate Matter Deposition Efficiency and Air Quality Improvement by Vertical Shrub and Climber Walls

Fine particulate matter poses a significant health risk indoors, making indoor air quality improvement crucial. Vertical greenery systems offer a promising solution, but selecting suitable plant species remains a challenge. This study evaluated the PM deposition and air quality impact of six ornamental plants (climbers and shrubs) in a controlled chamber. Almost all plants reduced CO2 by 20%, while PM deposition varied by species, with Petunia hybrid being the most efficient. Total leaf area showed the strong correlated with PM deposition. These findings confirm the potential of ornamental plants, particularly those with large total leaf area, for PM reduction in vertical greenery systems. Further research with a wider range of plants and advanced characterization techniques is needed to refine our understanding and develop practical guidelines for their effective use in indoor air purification.

Enhancing human well-being and comfort: Optimizing the integration of plants in buildings

The escalating challenges posed by greenhouse effects and the imperative for sustainable solutions have garnered global attention towards mitigating environmental harm, with buildings emerging as significant contributors to carbon emissions. This case study meticulously examines the Shunde Country Garden Headquarters Building, a visually captivating exemplar of plant integration within architectural frameworks. While the initial design emphasizes aesthetics and sustainability, a deeper exploration uncovers shortcomings in considering the well-being of occupants. The integration of plants into building structures holds promise in carbon absorption and reduced energy consumption, making a positive contribution to sustainability. However, the Shunde case underscores challenges such as insufficient natural light, poor ventilation, and elevated indoor humidity levels. These issues highlight the critical necessity of aligning architectural designs with human experiences, transcending mere aesthetics and sustainability. This study also reveals a noticeable oversight in the social dimension of buildings integrated with plants within existing certifications and architectural practices. While certifications like LEED, WELL, Envision, and BREEAM primarily evaluate sustainability from a conventional standpoint, architects often prioritize aesthetics over the living experiences of occupants. The absence of comprehensive guidelines addressing human well-being and comfort impedes the widespread adoption of Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS). In response, this project aims to propose a design guideline that holistically considers environmental, economic, and social aspects. By accentuating occupants' comfort and well-being, the objective is to unlock the practical potential of VGS across various countries. The proposed design guideline encompasses environmental, economic, and social considerations. It delves into lighting, support, and landscape elements for the environment, and addresses economic aspects such as potential, construction, design, and landscape economy. Importantly, the social aspect takes precedence in the guideline, concentrating on innovation, location, and landscape. By addressing environment, economy, and society, this paper endeavors to elevate the impact of Vertical Greenery Systems on human well-being and comfort, fostering a sustainable and harmonious relationship between architecture and nature.

A Systematic Review of the Vertical Green System for Balancing Ecology and Urbanity

Skyrise greenery, including green roofs and vertical gardens, has emerged as an indispensable tool for sustainable urban planning with multiple ecological and economic benefits. A bibliometric analysis was used to provide a systematic review of the functions associated with skyrise greenery in urban landscapes. Key research tools, including the “Bibliometrix” R package and “CiteSpace” 6.2 R4, highlight the depth and breadth of the literature covering skyrise greenery. In 2000–2022, a total of 1474 original journal articles were retrieved. Over this period, there was an exponential increase in the number of publications, reflecting both enhanced knowledge and increasing concerns regarding climate change, the urban heat island, and urbanization. Of the total, ~58% of the articles originated from China, followed by the USA, Italy, Australia, and Canada. The research themes, such as urban heat islands, carbon sequestration, hydrology, and air quality, have been identified as the frontier in this fields. Furthermore, researchers from developed countries contributed the most publications to this domain, while developing countries, such as China, play an increasing role in the design and performance evaluation of vertical greenery. Key benefits identified in vertical green systems (e.g., green roofs and walls) include thermal regulation, sustainable water management, air-quality improvement, noise reduction, and biodiversity enhancement. In addition, several potential future research prospectives are highlighted. This review provides a comprehensive insight into exploring the pivotal role of skyrise greenery in shaping sustainable, resilient urban futures, coupled with sustainable urban planning.

Green architecture: Conceptualizing vertical greenery in urban design

This executive summary introduces the concept paper on Green Architecture, focusing specifically on the integration of vertical greenery in urban design. Green architecture, characterized by sustainable design principles and environmental consciousness, aims to enhance urban environments by incorporating vegetation into built structures. Vertical greenery, a key component of green architecture, involves the strategic placement of vegetation on vertical surfaces such as walls, facades, and rooftops. This concept paper explores the potential of vertical greenery to mitigate environmental issues in urban areas, improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and enhance biodiversity. The paper proposes a conceptual framework for conceptualizing vertical greenery in urban design, emphasizing the importance of integrating natural elements into the built environment. It discusses various strategies for implementing vertical greenery, including the selection of suitable plant species, design considerations for irrigation and structural stability, and the incorporation of greenery into urban planning processes. Moreover, the concept paper highlights the social and economic benefits of vertical greenery, such as improved health and well-being for residents, increased property values, and enhanced aesthetics of urban spaces. It also emphasizes the role of stakeholder engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation in the successful implementation of vertical greenery projects. In conclusion, this executive summary outlines the significance of incorporating vertical greenery into urban design practices as a means to promote sustainability, resilience, and livability in cities. By embracing the principles of green architecture and integrating vertical greenery into urban landscapes, cities can create healthier, more vibrant, and environmentally sustainable communities for current and future generations. Keywords: Urban, Design, Green, Architecture, Vertical.

Multi-stage progressive detection method for water deficit detection in vertical greenery plants

Detecting the water deficit status of vertical greenery plants rapidly and accurately is a significant challenge in the process of cultivating and planting greenery plants. Currently, the mainstream method involves utilizing a single target detection algorithm for this task. However, in complex real-world scenarios, the accuracy of detection is influenced by factors such as image quality and background environment. Therefore, we propose a multi-stage progressive detection method aimed at enhancing detection accuracy by gradually filtering, processing, and detecting images through a multi-stage architecture. Additionally, to reduce the additional computational load brought by multiple stages and improve overall detection efficiency, we introduce a Swin Transformer based on mobile windows and hierarchical representations for feature extraction, along with global feature modeling through a self-attention mechanism. The experimental results demonstrate that our multi-stage detection approach achieves high accuracy in vertical greenery plants detection tasks, with an average precision of 93.5%. This represents an improvement of 19.2%, 17.3%, 13.8%, and 9.2% compared to Mask R-CNN (74.3%), YOLOv7 (76.2%), DETR (79.7%), and Deformable DETR (84.3%), respectively.

Machine learning-driven sustainable urban design: transforming Singapore's landscape with vertical greenery

Machine learning-driven sustainable urban design: transforming Singapore's landscape with vertical greenery

Sustainable Design of Vertical Greenery Systems: A Comprehensive Framework

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.

Persepsi dan Preferensi terhadap Vertical Greenery Berdasarkan SBE di Kota Pekanbaru

Vertical greenery in the city of Pekanbaru is very difficult to find because there are still many people who do not know the various benefits and uses of vertical greenery with limited land. This study focuses on the city of Pekanbaru at 10 locations found. The research location is in the District Limapuluh, District Pekanbaru City, District Marpoyan Damai with 2 location points. Area Sukajadi and in the District Bukit Raya each with 3 location points. This paper aims to examine perceptions, preferences, color freshness and plant density analyzed by SBE. Vertical greenery is generally found in cafes, hotels and included in the Pekanbaru Park service. The vertical greenery owned by the company in management is more maintained and aesthetically so that it gets the highest score. Meanwhile, the Pekanbaru office tends to be simple in design and many are neglected. The results showed that the people of Pekanbaru city were still unfamiliar with the existence of vertical greening. While the results of the evaluation of the aesthetic value show that the average vertical greenery in Pekanbaru City has a good aesthetic value at a moderate level. Both in terms of design, freshness of color and density level are influenced by several aspects such as structure, environment, activity intensity, type of plant vegetation and maintenance.

Assessing light performance of vertical greenery shading in tropical climate

Natural light is abundant in tropical climates and advantageous for incorporating daylighting into building designs. However, this daylight intensity often leads to excessive brightness indoors, specifically in high-rise buildings with glass façades. In addressing sustainability concerns, incorporating greenery outside glass façades can effectively shade and alleviate eyestrain for building occupants. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of plant leaves in reducing the high light intensity on glass facades. An experiment was conducted using the Vernonia elliptica plant, which thrives in medium to high sunlight in tropical climates. Three different leaf area indexes (LAI) were examined in this study as the independent variables, while light illuminance and luminance served as the dependent variables. Two identical box models measuring 1 m × 1 m × 1 m were utilized for the experiment. The two models were oriented towards the west and north, representing intense and longer light exposure. The first, the base case, featured a glass façade without any other additional element, whereas the other incorporated greenery on its glass façade. The obtained results indicated that the impact of leaf density on illuminance and luminance is significant, specifically when the LAI is doubled. It was also found that denser foliage with longer leaf strands produced better results, specifically at low altitudes. These results can be used to implement vertical greenery shading in high-rise office buildings.