Vertical Greening Systems: A Perspective on Existing Technologies and New Design Recommendation

Peter J. Irga (), Fraser R. Torpy, Daniel Griffin and Sara J. Wilkinson
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Peter J. Irga: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
Fraser R. Torpy: School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
Daniel Griffin: School of Built Environment, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
Sara J. Wilkinson: School of Built Environment, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Vertical greening systems (VGSs) represent an emerging technology within the field of building-integrated horticulture that have been used to help counteract the global issues of urbanisation and climate change. Research and development within the field of building-integrated horticulture, despite being in the infancy stage, is steadily progressing, highlighting a broad range of achievable social, environmental, and economic benefits this sustainable development technology could provide. However, as VGS technology is relatively new, an array of different designs and technologies have been categorized collectively as VGSs, each having various performances towards the proposed and desired benefits. The purpose of this paper is to review existing VGS technologies and analyse the impact of implementation on sustainable development, and subsequently to propose a new VGS design that theoretically achieves the best possible outcomes when aiming to obtain the maximum benefits of installing a VGS. The resultant design creates new opportunities for VGS environmental amenities and maintenance, increases the scope of applications, and improves the environmental performance of the host building. The proposed design has the potential to transform VGSs beyond conventional functions of aesthetic greening to create novel ecosystems, which enhances the formation of habitats for a more diverse range of flora and fauna.

Keywords: urban greening; green technologies; vertical greenery systems; green façade; green wall; living wall (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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