Last updated: October 2021
The green wall was built as a pilot project in cooperation between the national government, the University of Genova and the Ecosystemic Research Group with the aim to assess urban air pollution. The wall is being monitored to understand which plant species are the most ideal for carbon sequestration in cities (2 and 3).
http://www.ecosystemics.eu/?page_id=906&lang=en
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green walls or facades
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Climate change mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Project objectives
The project aims at the "evaluation of the positive effects of vertical greening systems for the improvement of environmental condition and energy performances of building envelope" (2). The focus was on understanding which plant species have the most effective carbon sequestration impact on the vertical garden (1 and 2).
Implementation activities
The project was a partnership between the University of Genova and INPS. The implementation of the wall took a short time and the research was conducted by the university between 2014 and 2017. The research by Perini et al. (1) investigated the performances of four selected plant species used for vertical greening systems, comparing the fine and ultrafine dusts (PM10, PM2.5) collecting capacity by leaves, under the same conditions (height/location, pollution exposition, weather). The publication is available since January of 2020 (1).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Implement green walls or roofs to lower indoor temperature and provide insulation
Climate change mitigation:
- Install vertical or horizontal artificial surfaces that help with carbon storage and cooling
Main beneficiaries
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
This project was a partnership between the University of Genova and INPS (national government) (1 and 2). The Ecosystemic research group coordinates the monitoring activities of the performances of the INPS green facade. The research, is funded by National Institute of Social Insurance (INPS Genoa).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(European Union Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC (1). )
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(Decree 155/2010 implementing the European Union Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC (1). )
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Improved physical health
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Perini, K. et al. (2017). Quantification of fine dust deposition on different plant species in a vertical greening system. Ecological Engineering 100 (2017) 268–276, Available at Source link (Accessed 2-9-2020)
2. Ecosystemics (no date), Project webpage, Available a Source link (Accessed 2-9-2020)
3. Repubblica (2014), Sestri Ponente, così il giardino si arrampica sul palazzo, Available at Source link (Accessed 2-9-2020)
2. Ecosystemics (no date), Project webpage, Available a Source link (Accessed 2-9-2020)
3. Repubblica (2014), Sestri Ponente, così il giardino si arrampica sul palazzo, Available at Source link (Accessed 2-9-2020)