1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
1. They contribute to the insertion of vegetation in the urban context, which is scarce in dense urban areas, promoting cities sustainability based on environmental, socio-economic and aesthetical benefits.
2. The insertion of green walls contributes to increasing urban biodiversity without any ground-level occupation.
3. These systems have the ability to improve air quality absorbing CO2 and heavy metals and retaining dust particles, while the vegetation releases oxygen to maintain its vital functions.
4.They help to mitigate the greenhouse effect, contributing to an increase in air humidity and to decrease the air temperature.
5. These systems enhance, aesthetically and visually, the spaces.
6. Green walls add value not only to the buildings in which are integrated but also the surrounding area, having a therapeutic effect, due to the presence of vegetation, introducing nature into the daily life of citizens (2)
2. The insertion of green walls contributes to increasing urban biodiversity without any ground-level occupation.
3. These systems have the ability to improve air quality absorbing CO2 and heavy metals and retaining dust particles, while the vegetation releases oxygen to maintain its vital functions.
4.They help to mitigate the greenhouse effect, contributing to an increase in air humidity and to decrease the air temperature.
5. These systems enhance, aesthetically and visually, the spaces.
6. Green walls add value not only to the buildings in which are integrated but also the surrounding area, having a therapeutic effect, due to the presence of vegetation, introducing nature into the daily life of citizens (2)
Quantitative targets
1. To weigh less than 25kg when put on the wall
2. To install 1 irrigation system
3. To select plants that are able to survive a 20 degree temperature: begonias, ferns, bromeliads and aroids (4)
2. To install 1 irrigation system
3. To select plants that are able to survive a 20 degree temperature: begonias, ferns, bromeliads and aroids (4)
Monitoring indicators defined
Amount of plants a wall can sustain (4)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Most natural vertical surfaces on which plants are found are soilless, creating well-drained growing locations. Many plants thrive in such conditions — on rocks and cliff faces, or branches and trunks of trees. These plants are called lithophytes, from the Greek lithos (‘stone') and phyton ('plant'), and epiphytes (epi is Greek for 'on'). VGD's felt-based technique imitates these conditions and allows a large variety of plants to naturally grow on vertical surfaces.
Indoor climates typically include a temperature of around 20° C and low light levels. Similar conditions can be found under the tropical forest canopy where little light filters through. Many plants have adapted to such environments by growing large leaves in order to absorb as much of the small amount of light that reaches them as possible. They tend to have quite a modest flowering, although there are exceptions that flower freely all year long in low light levels (1)
Indoor climates typically include a temperature of around 20° C and low light levels. Similar conditions can be found under the tropical forest canopy where little light filters through. Many plants have adapted to such environments by growing large leaves in order to absorb as much of the small amount of light that reaches them as possible. They tend to have quite a modest flowering, although there are exceptions that flower freely all year long in low light levels (1)
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
This NBS is a product innovation, being a pioneer project for Porto. (1) The facade greening began in Europe, in particular during the decade of 1980 in Germany, but is now becoming popular all over the world. People are becoming aware of the benefits of green walls to enhance surroundings and spatial planning strategies are making advances in their uses and appreciation. (3)
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
This NBS is part of a company's projects that implement similar projects within the company/shops (1)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
This NBS is not referred as being transferred to other buildings in Porto (1)
