Urban Greening the natural armoury in the fight against air pollution
Urban greening largely began in Europe, in our 15 years of business we have seen the sector grow expediently, as society become aware of their beneficial impact on the environment. In addition to the benefits, they are attractive to look at and by greening up living environments enhance the quality of life of everyone today and for future generations.
We provide urban greening environmental solutions to the commercial, local authority and residential market. We use nature to provide sustainable solutions to urban environmental challenges by installing urban greening techniques such as ivy green screens, green façades, moss walls, living green hoardings, green roofs, soil stabilisation, wildflower matting and NoiStop barriers. Complimented by soft landscaping, irrigation, and aftercare maintenance.
Installing ivy green screens, green facades or living walls in and around schools and construction sites for example can result in many benefits to the environment and population.
URBAN GREENING PRODUCTS FOR SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION BY HEDERA SCREENS
· Ivy Green Screens - Various species, heights, and planting methods
· Internal and External Living Walls
· Internal Moss Walls and Moss Art
· Acoustic Sound Barrier Fencing
Supported by Commercial Soft landscaping, commercial grade irrigation systems, and aftercare maintenance. We also provide a facility to buy online, ideal for the smaller projects.
THE BENEFITS OF URBAN GREENING
AIR PURIFICATION
During the day plants extract carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and many other toxins from the air during photosynthesis, resulting in significant reductions in CO2 levels in well vegetated urban areas.
DUST SUPPRESSION
Large areas of greenery help to suppress dust particles, improving air quality around construction sites, busy highways and school perimeters. This may lead to a reduction in respiratory illness. There has been much focus in London recently on reducing PM10 particles to meet EU regulations.
HEAT REDUCTION
Urbanised areas have a higher average temperature than surrounding countryside. Increasing vegetation in city hot spots can cool the air and reduce reflected heat.
NOISE REDUCTION
Planted surfaces have low noise reflectivity and high absorption properties. Ambient noise is attenuated by ivy screens and living hoarding, improving conditions around noisy construction sites.
IMPROVED PUBLIC IMAGE
Green screens and living hoarding are visual indicators of sustainable design. In addition to demonstrating an eco-friendly approach to construction, green hoarding may also help towards meeting company targets and environmental regulations and provide enhanced security to the perimeter of school playgrounds.
AESTHETICS
Vegetated surfaces provide a visual impact and focus for onlookers or can be used to obscure unsightly structures and spaces and help prevent unwanted graffiti
EXCESS WATER HARVESTING
Water discharge from construction sites can be harvested, filtered and used to irrigation the green screens and living hoarding, this may also eliminate the need for a fresh water supply to the screens.
SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY
By using a broad range of plants, a green wall can considerably increase the number and variety of insects and birds in a given area, helping to return a more sustainable ecosystem in urban environments.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Plants and greenery can provide uplifting and calming effects on people whilst having a positive impact on stress-related illnesses. Studies have shown that simply having a view of greenery increases workplace productivity. Through enhanced dust and pollution control, noise absorption and waste reduction.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Many of our products can be utilised for natural and sustainable internal and external social distancing solutions
FOR REFERENCE AND FURTHER INFORMATION
Study conducted following installation of Mobilane ivy green screens by Hedera Screens Ltd.
The impact of a green screen on concentrations of nitrogen dioxide at Bowes Primary School, Enfield Prepared for the London Borough of Enfield January 2018 Anja H. Tremper and David C. Green, Environmental Research Group King’s College London.
The amount of particulate matter (PM) collected by an average city tree can be matched by just 13 linear metres of ivy screens or living hoarding (covered with hedera helix ivy).
Installing living screens in urban streets can reduce street-level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide by as much as 40% and up to 60% for particulate matter (PM).
Pugh, Thomas. MacKenzie Robert, Whyatt Duncan & Hewitt, Nicholas (2012). Effectiveness of Green Infrastructure for Improvement of Air Quality in Urban Street Canyons. Lancaster, UK. Lancaster University.
An estimated 4,267 premature deaths in London in 2008 could be attributed to long term exposure to fine 'dust' particles (PM2.5). Miller, Brian, G. (June 2010) Consulting report P951-001. Institute of Occupational Medicine.
Children are at most risk from poor air quality, research suggests exposure to dust particles whilst growing-up could reduce lung capacity as much as 17%.
Study led by Queen Mary University of London, King’s College London and the University of Edinburgh. in 2018.
Air pollution is the UK's second-biggest public health threat after smoking and incurs an estimated £20bn/year in related health costs.
Defra, Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly Government and DoENI (2007) The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Volume 1.
The City of London are committed to controlling emissions of PM10 particles from construction, demolition and street works in and around the route from Victoria Embankment through to Tower Hill to help achieve EU targets.
The City of London (March 2011). Air Quality Strategy 2011-2015. London, UK. The City of London Corporation.
Studies have shown a significant decrease in aggression, violence, vandalism and crime in ‘greened-up’ areas.
Kuo, F.E. and Sullivan, W. (2001). Environment and Crime in the inner city: Does vegetation reduce crime? Environment and Behaviour Vol. 33(3): pp.343-367.
Increasing the amount of vegetation in an urban area by just 10% could produce reductions of up to 4 degrees centigrade in urban surface temperature.
Handley, J. and Carter, J. (2006). Adaptation strategies for climate change in the urban environment. Draft final report to the National Steering Group, Centre for urban and regional ecology. University of Manchester.
Do you have an urban greening project in mind?
Please call
01530 560 550 or email: info@hederascreens.co.uk, we’ll be very happy to discuss your individual requirements and advise on how we may assist.
