The purpose of this essay is to look at the possibility and advantages of applying vertical planting on buildings in Hong Kong within the next fifty years. The concept of vertical planting was created by the French botanist Patrick Blanc (Hohenadel 2007). This method has been applied to plenty of buildings in worldwide scale for reducing pollution, saving energy and decorative purpose (BBC 2011), whereas it is new to Hong Kong. This article will focus on discussing the potential impacts of the technology like improving air quality and reducing heat island effect in Hong Kong. This essay will briefly describe the mechanism of growing plants without using soil and examine the niche for applying vertical planting domestically. It will then analyze the impact of the technique. And finally conclude by discussing whether vertical planting could improve Hong Kong resident’s life quality.
The science behind vertical planting is plant physiology. Light, water, air and nutrients are the four primary elements for the survival of terrestrial plant. The first three requirements can be easily achieved. Light is typically sufficient in a daytime. Water-supply system in the city is developed. Air is everywhere. For the last factor, it may well be replaced. In fact, an agricultural method called hydroponics grows plants in nutritional solution (BBC 2011). Plant’s root is immersed in the solution to absorb nutrients (McCall and Nakagawa 1970), and then plant could grow in a container with an irrigation system. Without soil, the weight of the container will greatly reduce, and it makes installing a modular green wall on walls possible. Plants covering buildings act as a heat insulator, heat absorber and air filter that could lower indoor temperatur...
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Ulrich RS. 2002. Health Benefits of Gardens in Hospitals [Internet]. [cited 2011 Oct 20]. Available from: http://greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org/attachments/contentmanagers/25/
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[WCED] World Commission on Environment and Development. 1987. Our common future. New York: Oxford University Press. 444p.
[WHO] World Health Organization. 2005. Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide [Internet]; [cited 2011 Oct 19] Available from: http://whqlibdoc.who
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Wong A. 2005 29th October. Our air is killing us. The Standard; 8.
The world is facing issues of overwhelming complexity and urgency. The challenge is to think globally and develop policies to counteract environmental decline and environmental collapse. Brown illustrates the economic future through an environmental perspective to develop a plan that will sustain civilization. Throughout the book, he concentrates on four major components that will head the world towards a brighter future. These include a massive cut in global carbon emissions, the stabilization of world population, the decrease of poverty, and the restoration of our planet’s diverse natural landscape. Brown presents the reader with very accurate arguments in World on the Edge however; he also makes some weak points that may not be the best plan to save the planet.
(7) Adams, W. M. The Future of Sustainability: Re-thinking Environment and Development in the Twenty-first Century. Rep. The World Conservation Union, 22 May 2006. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
1. Building Orientation- This H shaped sustainable development maximizes the North to South exposure. It provides great daylight and natural ventilation almost everywhere on the building. The 25% window-to-wall ratio, after extensive modeling and cost-analysis, help regulate interior temperatures.
Whether you want to begin plants in your greenhouse, expand exotic plants or make your very own vegetable garden, a greenhouse is the ideal way to obtain outstanding results and to extend your expanding period. For many individuals, requiring time to garden in their greenhouse is their favorite means to run away from the disarray of the day. Picture unwinding while bordered by multicolored, dynamic flowers and pleasurable aromas. If meditation is your goal, make certain to decide on a greenhouse that provides excellent insulation to make sure that it can be made use of year-round. Attempt expanding plants such as lavender, pleasant green and pansies during chillier months to provide your greenhouse a pleasant and calm sensation. With a bit of expertise, you can take pleasure in virtually any type of plant year-round with the appr...
Southgate, Douglas DeWitt, and Morris D. Whitaker. Economic Progress and the Environment: One Developing Country's Policy Crisis. New York: Oxford UP, 1994. Print.
Green walls, also called vertical gardens, refer to all forms of vegetated wall surfaces as well as with plants either rooted into the ground, in the wall itself or in modular panels attached to the facade. They have different shapes and sizes depending on the wall’s scale, architectural design and the plants selected. Green walls display beauty, art and expression, and can be divided into two categories: green facades and living walls.
The effectiveness of climate responsive architecture is evident over the course of its life, in lessened costs of utilities and maintenance. A poorly designed structure which doesn’t consider environmental or vernacular factors can ultimately cost the occupant – in addition to the environment – more in resources than a properly designed building. For instance, a structure with large windows on the south façade in a hot, arid climate would lose most of its air conditioning efforts to the pervading sun, ultimately increasing the cost of energy. By applying vernacular strategies to modern design, a structure can ideally achieve net zero energy use, and be a wholly self-sufficient
Hydroponics is not a new concept. This agricultural technique has revolutionized from before the pyramids. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt enjoyed fruits and vegetables grown hydroponically. In 600 B.C., one of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, was in fact a hydroponic garden.1 King Nebuchadnezzar II built gardens that grew on the roofs and terraces of the royal palace.
Green spaces in cities are being used as methods to improve the quality of life of residents – they have been implemented to serve as an area of relaxation and to make an urban expanse more aesthetically pleasing. On a smaller scale, the possibility for rooftop agriculture is becoming more popular all over the world and it could pose as a potential source of food for urban communities. More vegetation can lead to an increase in biodiversity as well as allowing ecosystems to flourish where they were previously removed or destroyed to make room for concrete jungles.
In Singapore, greening is not limited, it is built on ground, walls, to rooftops, it goes both upwards and downwards. It is both practical and beneficial because it reduces the island’s tropical climate. In the latest HDBs in Singapore, rooftop planting as for recreational purposes and to prevent from dry conditions. Architects and designers use a lot of vertical green walls nowadays, it improves the aesthetics of the building as well protect the building from the heat. “They provide a habitat, for birds, butterflies, and other small animals. Above all, they have a psychological benefit, helping to make the urban environment less stressful” (Auger,2013, P.171) “Designers must educated the public that design is about strategy, not decoration”
The perfect green building would protect the environment which surround the project site, and could be used as a building that is going to achieve a purpose. The construction and operation levels of the green building will help to have a healthy environment without disrupting the land, water, energy and resources used inside the building and around the building in the project site; this is the actual definition of the green building.
Trees add beauty and much more trees in your backyard can be place for different types of wildlife they can improve your health standards provide oxygen they also keep your house cool planting medicinal plants improve your health fresh air improves your lungs purification add beauty and colour provide shelter from wind and add value to your home. Tree planting is all about managing air and Moisture in the soil if we manage these
Harris. J.M. 2000 Basic Principles of Sustainable Development, Global and Environment Institute Working Paper 00-04, USA
Let’s face the fact. Not everyone has sprawling lawns or acres of farmland to give a free reign to their inner creative. Many urbanites are left with a tiny terrace or perhaps a vacant window space to enjoy the pleasures of modern landscaping. For them, it becomes extra hard to bring up the plants when there is a dearth of sunshine, quality soil and sufficient space. Yet, with some amount perseverance these difficulties can be overcome.
Bamboo is a building material that is mostly used in rural communities for houses, but even Architects and Engineers are beginning to use Bamboo for it strength as a structural component and a styling agent by means of bamboo window blinds and many more. Bamboo is also commonly used as a type of construction for schools, farms and bridges. Bamboo is also used as scaffolding, shutters, a reinforcing agent for concrete and water piping, the demand for bamboo has recently increased as a new development of variety of bamboo based panels (Dunkelberg, 1992) has been constructed and incorporated into many buildings. Small buildings both non-structural and structural in nature both can be made entirely out of bamboo with the obvious exception of chimneys and fireplaces due to bamboo being a fuelling agent for fires, but it is not used alone it...