"Green walls can help address increasing temperatures linked to climate change and improve health outcomes in cities, contributing to temperature moderation and potentially other environmental benefits."

Green walls can help regulate cooling and reduce carbon emissions, in addition to promoting a sense of community.

"Green walls, such as vertical gardens, can help with indoor climate control by reducing wall temperature, as seen in a study where they reduced temperature by up to 5°C in Dar es Salaam."

Homeowners should consider budget, plant hardiness, and compact varieties when choosing plants for their green wall to ensure a thriving and sustainable vertical garden.

"Green walls can reduce indoor temperature by approximately 1.8 ℃, in addition to improving air quality by reducing concentrations of pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, particulates, and ozone."

A green wall provides the aesthetic benefit of having a natural beauty and charm that can make a home look radiant with fresh green, and it is easy to match with furniture and space.

One potential health benefit of indoor green walls is their positive impact on mental health.

Ivy and ferns are suitable plants for a low-maintenance vertical garden.

Suitable plants for green walls include lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera.

Vertical gardens can create the illusion of more space, add privacy, and serve as a focal point in small areas, making them a beneficial addition to urban homes.

"Plants such as the Dragon Tubeh, Junzi and Wu Bamboo, Turtle, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle are recommended for vertical gardens due to their air-purifying properties and low maintenance needs."

"Vertical green walls can reduce indoor temperature by approximately 1.8 ℃, in addition to providing other environmental benefits such as air purification."

"Green walls can help address increasing temperatures linked to climate change and improve health outcomes in cities, contributing to temperature moderation and potentially other environmental benefits."

Title:

Content: Africa Has Its First Chief Heat Officer. Five Things Should Be On Her Agenda

24 February 2023
analysis

Freetown's heat officer can set an example to Africa and the world as temperatures and risks rise.

Eugenia Kargbo has an unusual job: she is the city of Freetown's chief heat officer. Her role in Sierra Leone's capital is the first of its kind in Africa. She has been tasked with raising public awareness about extreme heat, improving responses to heat waves, and collecting, analysing and visualising heat impact data for the city, which is home to 1.2 million people.

Freetown is increasingly threatened by dangerous temperatures. In 2017, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ranked Sierra Leone third, after Bangladesh and Guinea Bissau, on its list of countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The risks are concentrated in its capital and largest city, Freetown, where some 35% of the population live in 74 informal settlements like Kroo Bay, often in disaster-prone areas like the seafront or hillsides. Houses are densely built and typically temporary structures made of "heat trapping" materials. Services that supports cooling, such as water and electricity, are usually inadequate.

As an architect whose work includes researching ways to reduce heat in African cities, I think the creation of an Heat Officer position is a good move. The world's cities are almost all getting hotter and, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned, temperatures will only keep rising.

But, while this is a global challenge, African cities are unique. The significant proportion of urban dwellers who are poor and those whose living conditions do not provide adequate shelter from the elements make the African context unique and deserving special attention.

With these realities in mind, here are five things I'd suggest should be on the agenda of both Kargbo and any other heat officer appointed elsewhere on the continent in future.

1. Take a diverse approach to urban greening

Nature-based approaches are a great way to address increasing temperatures linked to climate change. Scholars have established positive links between green infrastructure, temperature moderation and even health outcomes in African cities as well as elsewhere in the world.

This has informed a growing number of tree-planting initiatives and the development of urban parks. But it is important that municipalities move beyond only these kinds of spaces. African cities are becoming densely populated; that means less space will be available for greening initiatives on land.

Vertical systems of building (for example on walls, roofs, columns) and urban infrastructure (for example on bridges, road furniture) should be explored to make up for the lack of space on the ground.

In the last few years, I have led the design and development of experimental vertical gardens in low-income areas of Nigeria and Tanzania. We have shown that these vertical gardens reduce wall temperature of residential buildings by as much as 5°C in Dar es Salaam. The gardens have other benefits like providing fresh vegetables for household consumption. Similar ways of growing vegetation vertically have been seen elsewhere in the world, including in Mexico City.

2. Strengthen the link between heat and health

Exposure to extreme heat usually comes with health problems - and can even kill people, as I and many other scholars have documented. It exacerbates underlying health conditions.

One area of concern when it comes to the heat-health nexus in African countries is that mosquito numbers increase in higher temperatures. This means malaria and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes might become significant problems for Freetown and other African cities.

These health problems are further complicated by the fact that many city dwellers across the continent can't access adequate and affordable health care. Community health initiatives within cities and efforts to ramp up health services in qualitative and quantitative terms must be integral to heat adaptation plans and actions.

3. Focus on early warning and improved awareness

It is far better to be proactive than reactive. Heat vulnerability patterns within Freetown and other African cities must be studied and used to make sense of weather predictions in order to inform warning systems.

In the warning systems, for example, an alert level can be triggered when the weather forecast shows three or more consecutive days with daytime maximum temperature and humidity above a threshold of, say, 30°C. Other levels of alerts can correspond with higher temperatures. This sort of system has been implemented in Toronto, Canada, with good outcomes. A recent study of urban areas in Ontario (the province where Toronto is located) shows that early warnings may have meant fewer heat-related illnesses severe enough to warrant hospital or clinic visits.

4. Encourage the transfer of knowledge

Cities can adapt to heat faster when they share knowledge and experiences. Some scholars argue that inter-city collaboration and knowledge-sharing can enhance municipalities' resilience and improve urban residents' skills to deal with heat-related issues.

Kargbo's work will generate many lessons that can be shared with other African cities; she, too, will learn from other cities' successes and failures.

5. Let locals lead

While there is plenty to learn from more developed countries outside Africa, it is important to also draw from local indigenous knowledge and practices. An examination of knowledge and awareness about climate-related and environmental problems in African traditional society shows there is much to be learned from indigenous systems.

Top-down approaches are not enough. They must be complemented by bottom-up approaches in the planning, funding, execution and assessment of heat adaptation initiatives.

Inclusion is also important because it shifts power to those who are most affected by heat - people living in low-income and informal areas are disproportionately affected. Involving them enhances the impacts of initiatives and interventions.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Olumuyiwa Adegun is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure.

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Green walls can help regulate cooling and reduce carbon emissions, in addition to promoting a sense of community.

Title:

Content: Architect Su Yu-che and landscape scholar Hung Wo-mo: How to properly return land to nature in today ’ s architectural and urban challenges?
Architect Yu Cher Su (left) and landscape scholar Hung Wo-mo (right) _ Photo Credit: Jimmy Yang
What we want you to know is
In the process of urban development, the views of practicing architects on what is an ideal living environment have greatly affected the appearance of the city.
Architect Su Yu-che and landscape scholar Hung Wo-chih believe that the wall-free green space is crucial to urban life today. This article uses the dialogue between the two to describe the possible imagination of the future Taipei space.
Text: Lin Jiahui
Cinematography: Jimmy Yang, Kris Kang, Tsai Yiu-chen
Illustration: Su Yu-che
In the process of urban development, the views of practicing architects on what is an ideal living environment have greatly affected the appearance of the city.
Architect Su Yu-che and landscape scholar Hung Wo-chih believe that the wall-free green space is crucial to urban life today. This article uses the dialogue between the two to describe the possible imagination of the future Taipei space.
Focus on space outside the building
The appearance of the city changes with the needs of the times, and each building can be regarded as a concrete microcosm of people's imagination of urban life.
Su Yu-che pointed out that many communities in Taipei City are currently in the process of urban renewal to demolish old homes and build new homes.
However, the development process of each old street can not be synchronized, and the construction of a house will greatly affect the lives of the surrounding residents if it does not take into account the sunlight, air circulation and spatial movement of the surrounding houses.
In addition to relying on legal norms, construction companies also need to consciously carry out overall thinking and planning in order to create a truly comfortable neighborhood life.
"In the past, the rules of urban development were formulated with architecture as the main body, but the so-called city should be a virtual space outside the building, that is, an" empty "space."
Su Yu-che believes that both the natural environment of the countryside and the built-up areas must be taken into account, and an appropriate "space" should be defined.
Hung further explained that the environmental planning surrounding the building is important for creating a healthy living environment.
The so-called virtual space also includes green space, green space not only can regulate cooling, help carbon emission, but also help to establish a sense of neighborhood, she said: "As long as there is green space in a community, everyone is willing to go outdoors, gather here, create communication opportunities, increase mutual interaction; even if there is no dialogue, because often meet, will also produce a sense of closeness, drawing each other's distance."
Green living room on the first floor
Su Yu-che adds that before all cities became densely populated and paved with man-made construction, they belonged to the primitive state of nature. Nowadays, people like to go to the countryside on holidays and stay away from the cement jungle to meet the original needs of human nature.
Hong Ho-mo pointed out that the Taipei City government advocates “building a green and healthy Taipei ” and has opened a total of 994 parks and green areas with a total area of more than 18.07 million square meters.
The more green space in Taipei's parks, the higher the happiness of residents.
In the city's greening plan, Su Yu-che believes that the most challenging part of the city is the central part of the city or the area with a high concentration of buildings. A shared public space is actually feasible, "he said.
For example, the increasingly popular movable glass doors and windows can be fully opened when the weather conditions are good. In addition to helping to regulate the air and suitable for sub-tropical housing, it can also connect the indoor space on the first floor with the space for outdoor tree planting, so that the greenery is no longer blocked by the wall, and it can also enhance people ’ s intimacy. It is an urban living room that belongs to everyone, and the people on both sides of the glass wall do not know, but in the open space, there is a chance to break the original "you are you, I am me" boundary, so that the interaction is more friendly. 」
Vertical greening makes cities more comfortable
In the past, people often thought that landscape design was only introduced at the end of the project, but in fact, the overall landscape planning should precede the architectural design.
If you want to further green the existing Taipei urban space, you can consider using the old viaducts and elevated railways in New York City, Boston, and Seoul to turn the old viaducts and elevated railways into air parks, and map out the different levels of space, such as pedestrian bridges and roof spaces, so that the city can add more pleasant spaces by way of vertical greening.
According to Hung, in a densely populated urban environment, more green space can be reserved through the combination of green spots (small parks), green corridors (roadway trees or rivers), green surfaces (big parks or water and green resources), or urban renewal. A beautiful and green living environment, a sustainable and livable Taipei city blueprint for the coexistence of bird-language flowers and nature. "
In addition to the construction and maintenance of the park's green space, Hung points out that Taipei has also combined public and private efforts to adopt the park's green space with roadway trees, select plants, and even plan an urban agricultural park where people in the community can grow vegetables and garden together.
She said: “The diverse creativity and vitality of citizens can not only increase the energy of urban development, but also contribute to the sustainable operation of urban greening. ”
In recent years, Taipei City has been making efforts to make the city greener. Our lives can be better, and the city is more beautiful, healthy and safe. "
This article was published with permission from Taipei Art Journal. The original is published here.
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"Green walls, such as vertical gardens, can help with indoor climate control by reducing wall temperature, as seen in a study where they reduced temperature by up to 5°C in Dar es Salaam."

Homeowners should consider budget, plant hardiness, and compact varieties when choosing plants for their green wall to ensure a thriving and sustainable vertical garden.

Title:

Content: AD It Yourself

How to Create an Outdoor Oasis When You’re Short on Space

Experts chime in with smart solutions for limited backyard square footage, from plant propagation to thinking vertically

Though we can daydream of summer lunches beneath a pergola, the reality for many of us is that square footage is limited. But with great small backyard ideas, having limited outdoor space shouldn’t be a reason to discard your fantasy of a lush retreat at home. There are many innovative ways to craft an inviting outdoor retreat yourself, from layering your plants strategically to using multipurpose furniture. Below, we asked three experts to weigh in on how to create a compact oasis that will leave guests wondering your secrets.

Figure out your budget and plant hardiness zone

Maryah Greene, New York–based plant doctor, stylist, and founder of Greene Piece, recommends putting some thought into how much you’d like to spend and what plants will work best in your zone. “Consider this before going hard and decking your outdoor space out [completely], because you may find that you only get to enjoy those plants for a few months unless they’re perennials,” she advises. “The most common mistake that people make is investing a ton of money into their outdoor space just to realize that some of those plants won’t grow back next year!”

When choosing plants for a truly tight space, Fernando Rubio, landscape architect and founder of Defined Outdoors, picks plants that thrive in those conditions. “Opt for compact varieties such as herbs, dwarf shrubs, and container-friendly trees,” he says. “Also, consider using small-size foliage to add a layered, multidepth feel to your outdoor space.”

For budget-conscious DIY’ers, Greene suggests repurposing extra indoor items as planters or decorative elements. You should also try propagating, she says. “Different plants propagate differently, but for the ones that are cutting propagations, plop your cutting into a jar of water until it roots. From there, you can plant it in your garden or outdoor space without spending a dime on a new plant.”

Find practical solutions for your tiny footprint

Lacking a “typical” outdoor space? Small space consultant, author, designer, and stylist Whitney Leigh Morris dares you to get creative when it comes to small backyard ideas. “Even the tiniest slice of outdoor space surrounding your home can be transformed into a functional and tranquil retreat without much effort,” she says. “A stoop, driveway, porch, or miniature garden can all be effective ways to enlarge and enhance your living space. In order to maximize utility, keep reality in mind rather than being lured into styles that don’t suit your practical needs or the qualities of your surroundings.”

One of Greene’s favorite ways for urbanites to flex their green thumbs is by planting in window boxes. “If your fire escape allows you to sit a small planter right outside your window, this can make for a great place to grow herbs or add a few colorful flowers,” she adds. Just remember to keep safety first; avoid obstructing the pathway. Morris is a fan of container gardens, “whether [it’s] repurposed, staggered-height pots, wall-mounted vessels, or balcony planters,” she says.

All three experts were keen on the idea of vertical gardening. “Vertical elements like hanging planters, wall-mounted planters, trellises, and pedestals can draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of more space. Plus these elements can also add privacy and serve as a focal point in your outdoor space,” Rubio says.

Make it an extension of your home

You don’t need a massive patio or garden for dreamy indoor-outdoor living. The key is continuity: Decorate your outdoor space just like you would your interiors. “Don’t overlook ambiance,” Morris says. “It’s not just important for visual impact, but for your nervous system and well-being too. Soft, warm-hued lighting; soothing sounds; lush greenery; textile layers such as outdoor rugs and upholstery; and privacy borders, from billowing curtains to trellises to folding screens, can all play a vital and impactful role in establishing a serene setting.”

Lighting can make all the difference in how your space feels,” Rubio adds. “Adding some ambient lighting like string lights or lanterns can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. If you’re handy, task lighting—like spotlights or pendant lights—can also highlight specific areas or features.”

Rubio also advises keeping the design simple and pared back, if that’s your vibe. “When working with limited space, a minimalist approach to layout and design can make your space feel more spacious and relaxing,” he says. “Streamlined design elements, a simple color palette, and plenty of negative space can help create a visually appealing and calming outdoor oasis. Plus it makes maintenance a lot easier in the long run.”

Prioritize function

To make sure your small outdoor space is one you’ll actually use, consider what will make the reimagined zone work best for you. “For example, if you get abundant rain, make sure to use weather-proof pieces and incorporate waterproof storage into your design features,” Morris offers. “If you entertain a great deal, keep not only your guests in mind but also their belongings. Where will everything be placed to avoid overcrowding when you host? If your outdoor area is exposed to ongoing direct sun, explore safe methods of blocking the sun through plants, umbrellas, or sail shades.”

For Greene, it’s all about growing what you can use. “Herbs, veggies, flowers…if you cook a lot or just enjoy the occasional bouquet on your table, save yourself money and reward yourself,” she says.

Meanwhile, Rubio recommends smart outdoor furniture: “In small outdoor spaces every inch counts, so incorporating multifunctional elements can be a game changer,” he says. “Benches with built-in storage or planters that double as seating can maximize your space and make your outdoor area more practical. Modular furniture is also a smart option, allowing you to easily rearrange and adapt your space as needed.”

"Green walls can reduce indoor temperature by approximately 1.8 ℃, in addition to improving air quality by reducing concentrations of pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, particulates, and ozone."

Title:

Content: Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Chiayi
The school received an environmental subsidy of NT $220,000 two years ago to plant large Dumbo flowers to form a green wall, which helps to cool down the temperature and purify the air, and also to install an automatic sprinkler system to maintain the ecology of the green wall.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau of Chiayi City Government, since 2019, the Environmental Protection Department has promoted the vertical air green wall project. Since 2019, three schools, including Xingjia, Jiabei Elementary School and Jiabei Elementary School, have installed climbing plants on the school's daughter wall and the balcony of the classroom.
The Environmental Protection Bureau of the Chiayi Municipal Government said that this year, the Environmental Protection Agency expanded the target of subsidies, in addition to the original subsidies of public middle school, public elementary school, public preschool institutions, public welfare groups, public facilities, environmental protection night market, civic activity center and other venues, air green wall subsidies of 3,000 to 6,000 yuan per square meter, single subsidy ceiling of 400,000 yuan.
According to the Municipal Environmental Protection Agency, according to the results of the study, vertical green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulates (PM10) by about 40% and 60%, but also reduce the concentration of indoor fine suspended particulates (PM2.5) by about 10%, ozone by about 30%, and indoor temperature reduction by about 1.8 ℃.
According to the city's Environmental Protection Bureau, the appropriate plant types are lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera, and can be selected according to the space planning and installation requirements, so that the space is more beautiful.
# Green Wall # Cooling # EPB # EPD # Planting

A green wall provides the aesthetic benefit of having a natural beauty and charm that can make a home look radiant with fresh green, and it is easy to match with furniture and space.

Title:

Content: Make your home more stylish!
6 wonderful examples of ornamental plants
Genie Chien
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Do you like gardening? If you like flowers and plants, you can use ornamental plants as materials for interior decoration! Green has a natural beauty and charm, and it is easy to match with furniture and space, which is an indispensable element of interior decoration.
With them, even if it is not a beautiful house, it can make your home look radiant with fresh green.
Let ’ s take a look at the 6 ideas that make a stylish home out of plants!
Example 1: The Little Forest in the House
Do you want to live in a forest?
The designer saw through your mind and specially redesigned this house into a forest landscape.
This home is made of light wood and white, where green plants grow everywhere, creating a beautiful visual feel.
Living here, you can feel the natural atmosphere in all seasons, and your body and mind will feel extremely relaxed and comfortable!
Example 2: Bold use of plants to decorate home space
This open space combines a living room, dining room and kitchen, where designers use plants to make bold décor.
The rows of trees grow against the wall to form a beautiful vision. The indoor movement line is unparalleled, and living here is not only extremely relieving, but also can breathe the green verdant at the same time!
Example 3: Green interior wall
The interior is decorated with a vertically-green botanical garden, from the ceiling to the floor. Not only is it impressive at first glance, but the three-dimensional shape is even more impressive! Facing these greenery every day is the most healing secret of the busy world!
Example 4: A relaxing bathroom with a vacation style
Bathrooms with high humidity are also good for growing plants.
Here, the designer uses white and green to make your bathroom a vacation retreat.
Ivy and ferns are ideal choices, and the space forms a balanced color, so beautiful that people do not want to leave!
Example 5: Small green garden on the shelf
It is also a good idea to combine small ornamental plants with small accessories.
This way, using a rustic vine basket and small utensils, with beautiful green plants, creates a mini botanical garden in the space.
It not only makes the space more efficient, but also adds a lot of fun to life.
Example 6: Smart use of the outdoor garden
This residence has green plants planted on the outdoor balcony, allowing their verdant greenery to penetrate the interior.
Sitting in the living room, you can observe the growth of plants through a large area of glass windows.
In order to make the whole picture look beautiful as a painting, the designer took special care to choose the right plant to make the perfect match, so that the visual beauty is more divided!
If you are looking for inspiration to decorate your home, you must not miss the following articles:
12 Lighting Designs to Light Up the Appearance of Your Home!
Do you need someone to help you design or build your home?
Find a professional now!
Find out more about home design!

One potential health benefit of indoor green walls is their positive impact on mental health.

Ivy and ferns are suitable plants for a low-maintenance vertical garden.

Suitable plants for green walls include lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera.

Vertical gardens can create the illusion of more space, add privacy, and serve as a focal point in small areas, making them a beneficial addition to urban homes.

"Plants such as the Dragon Tubeh, Junzi and Wu Bamboo, Turtle, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle are recommended for vertical gardens due to their air-purifying properties and low maintenance needs."

Title:

Content: In order to improve the environmental air quality and let children learn with peace of mind, the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has continued to build a clean air green wall in the school. This year, 12 schools in Jianping Elementary School, Juren Elementary School and Chongde Elementary School have received subsidies from the Environmental Protection Department.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, through the installation of clean air green walls, indoor air quality can be improved. At present, space such as classroom corridors and flower stands outside the daughter wall in Taichung City can be planted, which can achieve the benefits of dust retention, air pollution absorption and temperature regulation.
In order to strengthen the protection of the school environment for children, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau expanded the subsidy for the construction of a clean air green wall on the campus, and the current subsidy amount to 1.76 million yuan, with an area of 358 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stressed that currently selected plants that can purify the air and do not need to spend too much money and time to maintain include the Dragon Tubeh, the Junzi and Wu Bamboo, the Turtle, the Cannonflower or the Honeysuckle.
How good is the effect of clean air green wall?
According to international research, vertical clean air green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by about 40% and 60%. In addition, green walls can also reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in classrooms by about 10% and the concentration of ozone (O3) by about 30%.
Green wall is the most natural and energy efficient air purification facilities, no need to plug in electricity, self-circulation, to achieve the purpose of air purification, can be called the "most environmentally friendly air purifier".
Chen Hongyi, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, said that in addition to blocking outdoor pollutants and improving indoor air, the air green wall can also adjust the temperature and drive energy conservation and carbon reduction. Next year, Taichung City is expected to expand the subsidy target, including community activity centers, public kindergartens and environmental night markets.
# Green Wall # Air # Cleanliness # Campus # Environment

"Vertical green walls can reduce indoor temperature by approximately 1.8 ℃, in addition to providing other environmental benefits such as air purification."