Can living walls reduce air pollution? BBC News investigates at Middlesex University

Summary

In response to London's growing air pollution, innovative green architecture is being embraced, such as living walls and green rooftops. These plant-covered structures help absorb pollutants like particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, improving urban air quality. London's green rooftop initiatives are among the largest globally, while Milan's Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) takes this concept further with skyscrapers covered in plants to reduce CO2 and harmful dust. While these solutions are promising, experts emphasize that addressing the sources of pollution, such as diesel vehicles, is crucial for lasting air quality improvements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Living buildings with greenery on their exterior help improve air quality by absorbing pollutants.
• 😀 The living wall in Victoria, London, is the largest of its kind in the city, standing 21 meters high with thousands of plants.
• 😀 A study at Middlesex University is measuring the ability of plants to absorb pollutants, showing promising results.
• 😀 Plants on living walls can absorb harmful particulate matter, reducing pollutants like nitrogen dioxide in the air.
• 😀 London is increasing its green rooftops, with over 200,000 square meters in central London and more than a million citywide.
• 😀 Green rooftops are making London one of the leading cities in the world for sustainable urban greening.
• 😀 Milan's Bosco Verticale, or vertical forest skyscraper, won the Best Tall Building award in 2015 for its environmental contributions.
• 😀 Bosco Verticale helps reduce CO2, produce oxygen, and absorb harmful dust and micro-particles in the air.
• 😀 The expansion of urban greenery, like vertical forests, can play a key role in the fight against air pollution.
• 😀 Despite the benefits of green infrastructure, addressing the sources of pollution, like car emissions and gas boilers, is critical for long-term air quality improvement.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of adding greenery to buildings in London?

The primary purpose of adding greenery to buildings is to reduce air pollution by absorbing harmful pollutants like particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, improving air quality in the city.

What is the significance of the living wall in Victoria, London?

The living wall in Victoria is the largest of its type in London, standing 21 meters high and containing thousands of plants. It is part of a growing number of projects aimed at combating air pollution in the city.

What has the study at Middlesex University revealed about the impact of plants on air quality?

The study at Middlesex University shows encouraging results, demonstrating that plants on living walls can absorb pollutants such as particulate matter, thereby reducing harmful pollutants like nitrogen dioxide in the air.

How does the addition of green rooftops contribute to improving air quality in London?

Green rooftops in London contribute to improving air quality by increasing the overall greenery in the city, which helps absorb pollutants and reduce their presence in the air.

What role do green rooftops play in London’s efforts to become a greener city?

Green rooftops are a key part of London's push to become a greener city, with over 200,000 square meters of green rooftops in central London alone, making the city one of the green rooftop capitals of the world.

What makes the Bosco Verticale in Milan a unique contribution to combating air pollution?

The Bosco Verticale, or vertical forest skyscraper in Milan, is a unique contribution to combating air pollution as it integrates a large number of plants into its design, which helps absorb CO2, produce oxygen, and filter harmful micro-particles from the air.

How did the developers of Bosco Verticale react to the installation of plants on the skyscraper?

The developers of Bosco Verticale were impressed by the sight of the plants being installed on the skyscraper terraces, as it brought the architectural vision to life and showcased the building's potential to positively impact the environment.

What is Stefano Boeri's perspective on the role of architecture in reducing air pollution?

Stefano Boeri believes that architecture, through projects like Bosco Verticale, can significantly contribute to reducing air pollution by increasing forested areas within cities and absorbing pollutants such as dust and micro-particles, thereby improving urban air quality.

What is considered the root cause of air pollution in London, according to David and Dusty?

According to David and Dusty, the root cause of air pollution in London is primarily from sources such as cars and gas boilers. Addressing these sources is essential for effectively improving air quality.

How will the removal of diesel vehicles help London's air quality in the future?

Once diesel vehicles are removed from the city, the remaining air pollution can be mitigated by the presence of green roofs, walls, trees, and parks, which will help clean the residual air pollution.