Living wall

Living Wall and Living Walls are common terms to describe a green wall, green facade, hedge, hedgerow or wall that is partially or completely covered with vegetation.

Types of Living Walls

There are many types of living walls. Although a hedge or green wall may refer to a living wall, there are distinct differences between the two. A hedge is a wall that is almost entirely composed of plants, such as trimmed shrubs, whereas a green wall is typically referred to as a wall that is covered partially or entirely by plants or ivy. Living walls are more commonly known as green walls, particularly with the development of recent technological innovations that allow for walls to be entirely covered by irrigated living plants.

Green Walls

See green wall. There are a couple types of green walls, such as loose mediums, mat type, and structural green walls.

Benefits of Living Walls

Environmental

Living Walls help to reduce local wind speeds, traffic noise, and localized temperature extremes (The Urban Heat Island) by shading and converting liquid water to water vapour (evapotranspiration) which cools the air. They help to improve air quality by reducing dust and particulates and help to reduce the amount of heat lost from a home. Another significant benefit is the increase in biodiversity, along with aid for food and shelter for wildlife. Living walls can also significantly increase infiltration and storage of rainwater through their root systems.

Social

Living walls may have a positive impact on both physical & mental health and wellbeing. Green views and access to green spaces in cities help and relieve the everyday pressures of crowding and noise. They may have a positive impact on crime reduction since residents living in ‘greener’ surroundings actually report lower levels of fear, fewer incivilities, and less violent behavior. Living walls can benefit communities socially by instilling higher public esteem and pride for an area.

Living walls are unlikely to be graffitied, improve the quality and perception of the urban environment, and can provide security as a dense and natural barrier for unwanted guests.

Living walls can have seasonal variations in colour, growth, flowers, and perfume which provide all year round interest.

Living walls can provide local fruit and vegetation for the community.

Economic

Living walls and other planting have the potential to increase residential and commercial property values by between 7% and 15%. They help to create a positive perception for prospective purchasers of property. They soften newly built houses and give immediate character and warmth. Further, they can improve the environmental performance of buildings and therefore the economic performance through reducing heating and cooling costs.

Living walls provide screening and /or barriers where fencing regulations may limit alternatives. They may enhance the prospects of securing planning permission.

References

• Gill, SE., Handley, JF., Ennos, AR & Pauleit, S (2007) Adapting Cities for Climate change: the role of the green infrastructure. Built Environment 33 (1) pp 115-133

Forest Research, Particulate Pollution 2007.

• Stewart H, Owen S, Donovan R, Mackenzie R, Hewitt N, Skiba U and Fowler D, (2003). Trees and Sustainable Urban Air Quality: Using Trees to Improve Air Quality in Cities, Lancaster University, Lancaster
• Broadmeadow MSJ and Freer-Smith PH (1996) Urban Woodland and the Benefits for Local Air Quality, Research for Amenity Trees No.5 HMSO, London.
• Anderson LM and Cordel HK (1988) Influence of Trees on Residential Property Values in Athens, Georgia: A Survey Based on Actual Sales Prices, Landscape and Urban Planning 15: 153-164.
• Morales DJ (1980) The Contribution of Trees to Residential Property Value: Journal of Arboriculture 6 (11):305-308.
• CABE Space (2005) Does money Grow on Trees? Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, London
• Huang YJ, Akbari H, Taha H and Rosenfeld AH (1987) The Potential of Vegetation in Reducing Summer Cooling Loads in residential Buildings, Journal of Climate and Applied Meteorology 26 (9): 1103-1116.
• Kennedy CJ and Southwood TRE (1984). The Number of Species of Insect Associated with British Trees: A Re-analysis, Journal of Animal Ecology 53: 453-478.
• Fuller RJ (1995) Bird Life of Woodland and Forest, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Blackwell Scientific Publications Oxford.
• Stearns F (1972) The City as Habitat for Wildlife and Man, in Detwyler R and Marcus MG (eds) Urbanisation and Environment, Duxbury Press Belmont California.
• De Graaf RM and Wentworth JM (1986) Avian Guild Structure and Habitat Associations in Suburban Bird Communities, Urban Ecology 9: 399-412.
• Botkin DB and Beveridge CE (1997) Cities as Environments, Urban Ecosystems 1: 3-19.
• National Urban Forestry Unit (1999) Trees and Healthy Living, National Conference, Wolverhampton, UK, National Urban Forestry Unit, Wolverhampton.
• Mudrak LY (1982) In the Environmental Benefits of Vegetation at a Global Local and Personal Level: A Review of the Literature, Green Releaf, Horticultural Trades Association and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
• Ulrich RS, Simmons RF, Losito BD, Fiority E, Miles MA and Zeison M (1991) Stress Recovery During Exposure to Natural and Urban Environments, Journal of Environmental Psychology 11: 201-230.
• Moore EO (1981-82) A Prison Environment’s Effect on Health Care Demands Journal of Environmental Systems 11(1): 17-34.
• Kuo, F.E & Sullivan W.C (2001): Environment and Crime in the Inner City –does vegetation reduce crime. Environment and Behavior Vol. 33 No 3 pp 343-367
• MIND Ecotherapy (2008) www.mind.org.uk/ecominds

External links

• Living privacy fences, About.com
• Living privacy fences, Prescottenews.com
• How to Make a Living Wall, wikihow.com
• Walls come alive, inspire natural living, Calgary Herald

See also

• Hedge
• Green wall