TOOLS

LIVING WALLS

TURAS expert contact:
Hans Müller

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Living_walls

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING MULTIBENEFIT VERTICAL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH LIVING PLANT CONSTRUCTIONS (SUITABLE FOR DIFFICULT URBAN LOCATIONS, SHORT TIME FRAMES)

Urban-regional challenges

loss of biodiversity heat stress flooding sprawl underused urban assets lack of community capital knowledge fragmentation inefficient resource management lack of green spaces traffic congestion urban-rural interdependency climate change housing shortage silo thinking economic decline pollution

TURAS transition approaches

rethinking urban governace reorganizing local economies strengthening community capacity renaturing the city building robust infrastructure adapting to climate change reducing land consumption encouraging sustainable behav...

Place-based visions

sustainable urban structures inclusive communities ecologically effective urban ... resilient infrastructure economic opportunities adaptive governance structures CO2 neutral metabolism

Governance approaches

science practice transfer new (local) economic models interdisciplinary collaboration participation & civic engagement linking regional & local proj... governing the commons risk governance

What is the challenge

Inhabitants of high-density urban areas are faced with multiple environment-related issues. Among these, there is summer heat stress caused by urban heat island effect as well as storm water related flooding, both exacerbated by climate change. Additionally, they encompass the negative physiological and psychological effects associated with a scarcity of appropriable open space and a general nature deficit, as well as concrete health issues related to excess noise and the intake of pollutants. In the long-term, the loss of biodiversity can threaten ecosystem functioning and consequently, human well-being.

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS CHALLENGE?

Urbanisation understood as the ongoing concentration of human activities in dense agglomerations, has not only global environmental repercussions (such as the hike in GHG emissions triggered by increased economic activity). High levels of urban density, industrial activity, and mobility also have local consequences such as soil sealing and contamination, the reduction of green and open spaces, noise and air pollution and associated effects such as loss of habitats.

TURAS Solutions

As an element of multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure, carefully planned and innovatively designed urban green walls can potentially mitigate negative side-effects of urbanisation. In addition to micro-climatic benefits, these elements can improve sojourn time quality, allow for a multitude of social activities, increase water retention capacity, reduce noise pollution, absorb pollutants and fine particulates and enhance biodiversity.

THIS TOOL FOCUSES ON:

social sustainability, ecological sustainability

TYPE OF MAIN OUTCOME / BENEFIT:

physical improvements, community empowerment

HOW TO REALISE THE TRANSITION?

WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED?

FACILITATORY (PUBLIC) BODIES:
green spaces department; environmental and sustainability department; water and sewer management department; planning and development department; community development department; asset management department

LOCAL TASK FORCE:
professional expert; landowners; community group

SUITABLE FOR:
dense inner city; underused urban sites & building; (sub-)urban communities; urban region

MAIN NECESSARY RESOURCES ARE:
monetary investments; space; local knowledge; expert knowledge

TRANSITION INITIATED

Please get in touch with our expert contact for additional material’