Last updated: November 2021
In June 2012, the Vertical Plants at the Strasbourg National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) were installed by two second-year students. They along with faculty and students undertook a technical and regulatory feasibility study, before taking steps to mobilise local companies to meet the costs of the project (Ref. 1). The advantage is not only aesthetic, but the wall has thermal and acoustic properties, and serves as a refuge for biodiversity and is even capable of absorbing atmospheric pollution (Ref. 2).
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 mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
- Noise reduction
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Regulation of built environment
Focus
Creation of new green areas
Project objectives
The anticipated advantages of the wall are that it will provide aesthetic value, as well as thermal and acoustic properties, and also serve as a refuge for biodiversity and absorb air pollution (Ref. 1).
Implementation activities
Work began in February 2012. Lucille Schnee and Fanny Velten were accompanied by their teacher-researcher tutors and with the help of a school technician, they studied the technical feasibility (choice of location, structure), then the regulatory constraints, of the project. This was before they took the steps of engaging the necessary relevant administrative authorisations, in particular with the prior declaration of their works and plans at the Strasbourg City Council. The funding necessary funding for the project was acquired from local companies that sponsored and partnered the project. The project was completed in June 2012 (Ref. 1).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change mitigation:
- Increase green urban nature for carbon storage (wetlands, tree cover)
- Implement solutions to help reducing energy consumption or support the use of sustainable energy resources
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Create new habitats
Main beneficiaries
- Researchers/University
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The framework for the work of Lucille Schnee and Fanny Velten came from their work of personal initiatives (TIPE). They were assisted by teacher-researcher tutors and the school technician at INSA. Supplies and services were also provided by sponsors and partners, such as: Lancier, Obernai CFPPA, Est Harro and le Comptoir Agricole, and Landscape Spaces (Ref. 1).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
Source(s) of funding
- Corporate investment
Type of funding
- Unknown
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
- Provision of goods
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
- Private sector (businesses, financial institution)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Reduced emissions
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Reduced noise exposure
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
(1) Robert, Stéphanie. (2012). Le végétal à la verticale. Available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).
(2) Alsace Tech. [no date]. A la Une. Available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).
(2) Alsace Tech. [no date]. A la Une. Available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).