Living Walls Combat the Heat Island Effect
It is summertime in Florida, and the heat is back. In most crowded downtown areas, the temperature feels even more intense due to a phenomenon known as the “heat island effect.” According to the EPA, this effect occurs because buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and emit the sun’s heat in greater amounts than organic landscapes such as water bodies and areas with trees. When manmade structures are concentrated, and greenery is limited, city areas become “islands” of elevated temperatures relative to natural areas. In this article, we discuss how introducing green plants to an environment by building living walls may help to mitigate the heat island effect.
Did You Know? Temperatures in urban areas can be up to 7°F higher during the day than temperatures in outlying areas. Nighttime temperatures can remain up to 5°F higher.
Combatting Heat with Living Walls
Living or green walls are beautiful and can greatly improve the aesthetic quality of boring concrete walls. They also help to cool both the interior and exterior of buildings by 1-2 degrees, improve and enhance air quality, and absorb urban noise in downtown areas. City planners around the world are now encouraging the integration of green walls in their urban planning policies.
Research by the London Metropolitan University indicates that living walls may also mitigate urban environmental issues such as flooding caused by the proliferation of hard surfaces, air pollution, and limited natural features. Not only that, but living green walls provide needed habitat for nesting birds and pollinators, delivering bioactive facades that will support plants, flowers, algae, and moss growth.
The study suggests that covering just 20% of a building’s external facade with greenery can significantly reduce temperatures in the surrounding areas.
Why Haven’t Living Walls Been Utilized More Often?
Living walls have been around for quite some time. Given the significant benefit that living walls represent in battling the heat island effect, why don’t we see living walls throughout our cities, lining our streets and even rooftops? The answer seems to be that although they provide tangible and practical benefits, living walls are often considered to be largely “decorative” pieces of art that require significant maintenance to keep them thriving, especially when installed outdoors. It is like adding a complex garden to your property – it requires ongoing care and diligence to maintain aesthetic integrity.
However, new innovations in living wall design can now provide adequate automated irrigation through the system, and the integration of tropical and succulent plant varieties can help mitigate the need for extensive maintenance. Moss walls are also gaining popularity, as they provide artistic interest and flair without demanding daily attention.
Some parts of the country may be better suited for living walls than others, but the cities along the Gulf Coast of Florida are prime candidates. Not only do we experience extreme temperatures, but our buildings and downtown areas are designed to be attractive to tourists and those strolling the streets. Whether you operate a restaurant, manage an office building, are responsible for beautifying an airport or hotel, or are a city manager improving common areas such as parks – living walls are an excellent option that offer both aesthetic and practical benefits. They help our environment but may also elevate your brand and draw in new clientele.
Tropex employs a team of botanists and horticulturalists who are experts in designing, installing, and maintaining the Sarasota area’s most beautiful green plant installations. No matter your green plant needs – from decorating an office to styling a chic and tropical hotel lobby – we are here to help, from design to maintenance. Call today to learn more about how an impressive living wall can make your property stand out from the rest.
