Introduction

This document seeks to promote the implementation of vertical gardens in urban communities so that they can become happier, healthier, and more sustainable environments. Cities have the ability to contain productive green spaces, no matter the size. The following information outlines the documents contents: Primary functions that a green wall can perform. Significant benefits that these applications provide. Types of irrigation systems professionals recommend. Required need for regular maintenance.

Figure 1.1: Longwood Gardens Green Wall

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What is a Green Wall?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Primary Green Wall Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Three Types of Green Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Green Facades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4 Living Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5 Retaining Living Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6 Green Wall Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Public Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8 Private Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Design-Specific Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Recommended Irrigation System Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Recirculating Irrigation Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Direct Irrigation Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Required Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Building/Structure Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Irrigation Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Regular Plant Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Works Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Text Citations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Image Citations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

What is a Green Wall?

A green wall is an all-encompassing term for a vertical garden system that consists of vegetation and a growing medium(1). They take advantage of the vast availability of under utilized vertical surfaces in cities. Green walls have the ability to provide insurmountable ecological, economical and aesthetic benefits in urban environments.

Primary Green Wall Functions

Urban environments most commonly use these systems to reduce heat build-up on buildings. The materials that make up a buildings facade absorb solar radiation from roads and other buildings in the city causing air-conditioning costs to rise significantly. This is neither efficient nor cost effective. Plant surfaces however, as a result of transpiration(2), do not rise more than 39-41F above the ambient(3) and are sometimes cooler, making green walls the perfect solution to reduce the urban heat island effect (Vertical Gardens Brochure 2010). Stormwater runoff can be reduced through the implementation of a green wall system, as well. Rainwater can be collected and purified by the vegetation, which absorbs the dissolved nutrients. Bacteria mineralize the organic components to make them available to the plants (Vertical Gardens Brochure 2010). This filtered water can then be reused to flush toilets within the building and/or reused to irrigate the plants that compose the vertical garden. Green walls can also function well in arid environments because vertical gardens are less likely to evaporate the irrigation water than horizontal gardens. Other uses for green walls are urban agriculture, urban gardening, or aesthetic qualities in outdoor and indoor environments.

Three Types of Green Walls

All vertical surfaces that contain vegetation are considered green walls. There are, however, three major green wall system categories: green facades, living walls, and retaining living walls. Green Facades o Green Facades are green wall systems that contain soil beds and a plant climbing mechanism, such as a trellis, screen, or series of cables. They can be attached to existing walls or built as freestanding structures (About Green Walls 2014). Soil beds can be easily placed at the base of a wall, attached to various elevated areas of the wall, and/or on the edge of rooftops. The types of vegetation used for these specific green walls include: vines, climbing

plants, or cascading groundcovers. Their primary function is to provide privacy and embellish vertical elements in the landscape.

Figure 2.1: Green Facade Example

Living Walls o Living Walls are green wall systems composed of a series of modules. These modules(4), made out of plastic, expanded polystyrene(5), synthetic fabric(6), clay, and/or concrete, attach to structural or freestanding walls (About Green Walls 2014). An abundance of individual parts allows this system to contain diverse, dense vegetation. The types of vegetation that are used for these specific green walls are ferns, low shrubs, groundcovers, perennial flowers, and edible plants (About Green Walls 2014). Living walls can be applied in exterior, as well as interior environments, to provide a variety of benefits.

Figure 2.2: Living Wall Example

Figure 2.3: Typical Living Wall System Structure

Figure 2.4: Synthetic Fabric Living Wall System

Retaining Living Walls o Retaining Living Walls provide an alternative and more aesthetically pleasing way of stabilizing outdoor slopes. Unlike non-living retaining walls, retaining living walls are made of geo-textile bags and interlocking modular units, including metal, concrete, plastic cellular confinement mats, or woven willow plants (About Green Walls 2014). These green wall systems protect from soil erosion on slopes ranging from 45 to 88. Retaining living walls, like living walls, can support a diverse array of dense vegetation and provide a variety of benefits ("About Green Walls" 2014).

Figure 2.5: Retaining Living Wall Example

Figure 2.6: Typical Retaining Living Wall System Structure

Green Wall Benefits

Green walls have much to offer within almost any type of landscape. Vertical garden installations occur in both interior and exterior environments. They can be purchased as a mass-produced product or custom made to fit any unique vertical structure. Implementation of these systems provides public, private, and design-specific benefits.

Public Benefits o Green walls provide four public benefits: Aesthetic Improvements Green walls occupy spaces that would otherwise go to waste. It provides building facades with another function, which is creative and aesthetically pleasing to viewers. They also can serve as unobtrusive privacy buffers between properties. Reduction of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect(7) In urban environments, vegetation has the ability to create a natural cooling process through transpiration(2). It prevents the buildings facade materials from absorbing or reflecting the heat. This provides extra thermal insulation for the building and therefore reduces excess energy consumption.

Figure 3.1 Heat Island Reduction Green Roof Example

Improved Exterior Air Quality Implementing green walls in urban environments will mitigate air pollution levels significantly. Air quality is connected directly to the UHI effect. A reduction of temperature reduces smog and air born particles. Plants also capture gases, such as carbon dioxide, through the process of photosynthesis,(8) and collect dust and other air particles, through its foliage. Local Job Creation Urban environments contain vast amounts of under utilized vertical surfaces, which are prime real estate for green wall implementation. Each vertical garden must be designed and constructed by specialists (landscape architects, architects, irrigation consultants, and engineers) with materials from a variety of businesses (nurseries and factories).

Private Benefits o Green walls provide five private benefits: Improved Energy Efficiency Increased vegetated surfaces reduce the temperature fluctuations at a wall's surface from a range of 50-140F to one

of 41-86F by trapping air within the plant mass, providing shade, and buffering wind (Green Wall Benefits 2014). Building Structure Protection Green walls protect and extend the lifespan of exterior material finishes on the facades of buildings from UV radiation, rain, and other weather elements. By prolonging the lifespan of facade materials, the lifespan of the building is extended. Improved Indoor Air Quality Green walls strategically located near interior and/or exterior air intake valves significantly improve indoor air quality. These processes remove airborne pollutants and other volatile organic compounds found in building materials, cleaning solvents, and office stationary (Green Wall Benefits 2014). Noise Reduction Softening the hard surfaces of an exterior wall with vegetation and a growing medium(1) absorb and reduce high and low frequency sounds. Marketing Potential Placing green walls in locations visible to the public promotes a go-green, sustainable image for the owner of the building and the community as a whole.

Figure 3.2: PNC Bank Building Pittsburg, PA

Design-Specific Benefits o Green walls provide four design-specific benefits: Increased Biodiversity(9) Introducing new areas of vegetation promotes pollinators and invertebrates. It also provides habitats and nesting places for various bird species (Green Wall Benefits 2014).

Improved Health and Well-Being Through indoor air quality improvements and increased visual aesthetics, working environments enhance productivity and hospital settings increase recovery rates (Green Wall Benefits 2014). Urban Agriculture Taking advantage of vertical surfaces offers the opportunity to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs in dense urban environments with little horizontal space.

Figure 3.3: Urban Agriculture Example

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Green walls collect gray water(9) and purify it through filters, gravel, and marine plants. This filtered gray water can then be used for plant irrigation or to flush toilets within the building.

Recommended Irrigation System Types

Green walls usually require an irrigation system to provide adequate water and nutrients to its plants and soil. Most green walls contain a recirculating or direct irrigation system, which is operated by a timer or controller.

Recirculating Irrigation Systems o A recirculating irrigation system pumps water from a tank that is filled regularly and either remote-controlled or directly underneath the green wall (Kostelnick April 25, 2013). Water is pumped up to the top of the green wall and then delivered to the plants through drip irrigation(10). Excess water is collected at the base of the green wall and delivered back to the tank for reuse. This type of system is primarily used for small green walls.

Figure 4.1: Recirculation Irrigation System

Figure 4.2: Recirculating Irrigation System

Direct Irrigation Systems o A direct irrigation system acquires water directly from an external source and is delivered to each plant using drip irrigation(10). Some systems inject fertilizers into the line to provide nutrients to the plants and growing medium(1). All excess water is directed into a sewer drain. This type of system is primarily used for large green walls. (Kostelnick April 25, 2013).

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Figure 4.3: Direct Irrigation System Example

Required Maintenance
Like all things, green walls require maintenance once they are installed. The extent of maintenance depends on the complexity and location of the system. Most companies that produce vertical garden systems provide maintenance services to their costumers. Maintenance can be divided into three elements: building/structure inspections, irrigation inspections, and regular plant maintenance.

Building/Structure Inspections o The wall and its surroundings, including drains, gutters, wall waterproofing, rail anchors, and rails, should be inspected a minimum of once per year. This protects the walls integrity and prevents flooding due to blockages. Irrigation Inspections o Valves, fertilizer injectors, irrigation pipes, and water emitters should be inspected several times per year to ensure functionality and identify leaks. This is extremely important during end-of-season winterization. Regular Plant Maintenance o Weekly inspection/correction may be required for the first few weeks, extending to monthly, and eventually bi-monthly or quarterly. Issues to plant health include: infestations, plant disease, weed growth, over- or under-fertilization, and soil erosion. The plants may require feeding, pruning, dead-heading, weeding, and replacement when necessary (Green Walls: Integrating Nature into Buildings 2014).

Required regular maintenance is the only notable disadvantage of green wall systems. It is a critical action to ensure longevity of the system functionally and aesthetically. 11

Conclusion
While regular maintenance may be a draw back, these green wall systems do provide a substantial variety of benefits and services. Implementation of vertical gardens in urban communities is a progressive gesture that can establish happier, healthier, and more sustainable environments. It promotes community pride and the spread of environmental knowledge. All urban populations must be informed about the advantages of implementing these systems so that they can reap the benefits and be stewards of the urban landscape.

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Glossary
1. Growing Medium The material that your plants grow in, which has three main functions: supply roots with nutrients, air, and water; allow for maximum root growth; physically support the plant (Growing Medium). 2. Transpiration The passage of watery vapor from a living body (as of a plant) through a membrane or pores. It aids in the dissipation of the sun's heat by cooling through evaporation of water (Transpiration). 3. Ambient It is a non-specific phrase used to describe the outside temperature. When taking the temperature with a thermometer, you are getting a general idea of the temperature of the surrounding air without taking into account the daily maximum and minimum temperature (Ambient Temperature). 4. Module One of a set of parts that can be connected or combined to build or complete something (Module). 5. Expanded Ploystrene Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a thermoplastic, closedcell, lightweight, rigid-foam plastic (Expanded Polystyrene). 6. Synthetic Fabric Man-made textiles rather than natural fibers (Synthetic). 7. Urban Height Island Effect Buildings, roads, and other infrastructure replace open land and vegetation. These changes cause urban regions to become warmer than their rural surroundings, forming an island of higher temperatures in the landscape (Urban Heat Island). 8. Biodiversity The existence of many different kinds of plants and animals in an environment (Biodiversty). 9. Gray Water Wastewater that does not contain serious contaminants (Gray Water). 10. Drip Irrigation A system of crop irrigation involving the controlled delivery of water directly to individual plants through a network of tubes or pipes (Drip Irrigation).

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Works Cited
Text Citations
Ambius, "Green Wall Maintenance." Last modified 2013. Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.ambius.com/green-walls/services/maintenance/. Continuing Education Center, "Green Walls: Integrating Nature into Buildings." Last modified 2014. Accessed March 2, 2014. http://continuingeducation.construction.com/crs.php?L=260&C= 808. Dictionary.com, "Drip Irrigation." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://dictionary.reference.com/ browse/drip irrigation. Free Interactive Learning, "Ambient Temperature." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.freeinteractivelearning.com/lessons/ampacity_ex/ampacity_ex_print.html. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, "About Green Walls." Last modified 2014. Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.greenroofs.org/index.php/about/about-greenwalls. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, "Green Wall Benefits." Last modified 2014. Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.greenroofs.org/index.php/about/green-wall-benefits. Kostelnick, Matt. Ambius, "How Green Walls Work: Irrigation." Last modified April 25, 2013. Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.ambius.com/blog/how-green-walls-work-irrigation/. Vertical Gardens Brochure. The Netherlands: Vertical Gardens, 2010. http://www.verticalgardens.eu/ uploads/FolderVerticalGardens-UK.pdf (accessed March 2, 2014). Merriam-Webster, "Biodiversity." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.merriamwebster.com/ dictionary/biodiversity. Merriam-Webster, "Greywater." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.merriamwebster.com/ dictionary/gray water. Merriam-Webster, "Module." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.merriam-webster.com/ dictionary/module. Merriam-Webster, "Synthetic." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.merriamwebster.com/ dictionary/synthetic. Merriam-Webster, "Transpiration." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.merriamwebster.com/ dictionary/transpiration. University of Maryland, "Growing Medium." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://extension.umd.edu/ growit/food-gardening-101/what-growing-media. United States Environmental Protection Agency, "Urban Heat Island." Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/about/index.htm.

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Image Citations Figure 1.1:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wD6Iio3VXv0/TL9PS7uMwII/AAAAAAAAB3M/bdTAkZOsnLw/s1600/Longw ood+Living+Wall.JPG

Figure 2.1:
http://www.100khouse.com/2008/03/28/green-facade-ideas-for-south-facing-walls/

Figure 2.2:
http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/branly-la.jpg

Figure 2.3:
https://www.educate-sustainability.eu/kb/print/811

Figure 2.4: Figure 2.5:

http://plantsonwalls.blogspot.com/2010/06/laguna-honda-hospital-vertical-garden_14.html

http://www.triconprecast.com/images/living-wall-systems.jpg

Figure 2.6: Figure 3.1:

http://furbishco.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/SmartSlope_Profile.jpg

http://www.vegetalid.us/media/images/V2_2_E_Green_roof_insulation_temperature6.jpg

Figure 3.2:
http://www.jetsongreen.com/images/old/6a00d8341c67ce53ef0120a5e44736970c-800wi.jpg

Figure 3.3:

http://gbssmag.com/2012/08/livewall-new-planted-wall-system-achieves-simplicity-andsustainability/

Figure 4.1:
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/96/65/8b/96658b4974a9411134387fccb635fe6e.jpg

Figure 4.2:
http://club.conservationgardenpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Green-Wall-SystemWorkings.jpg

Figure 4.3:
http://www.ambius.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Green-Wall-Direct-IrrigationSystem.jpg

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