Modular Green Wall
Basic information
Project Title
Modular Green Wall
Full project title
Modular Green Wall by Parkly and Innogreen - an urban oasis for better soundscape
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
The modular green wall is an innovative green infrastructure for more liveable cities - it has been verified to reduce traffic noise by 7 decibels. Additionally, this vertical meadow serves as an urban sanctuary for pollinators and offering a serene and multi-sensory space for social gatherings. The modules are adjustable in size, catering to various urban settings. Their circular design allows for component replacement and relocation, ensuring versatility and sustainability.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Helsinki - but the solution is now widely available on an international level, Finland
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
The modular green wall by Parkly and Innogreen is an innovative green infrastructure with numerous proven advantages. Functioning as a shield against traffic noise, this green wall emphasizes the pivotal role of green infrastructure in mitigating noise pollution within urban settings, while simultaneously delivering diverse visual, health, and environmental benefits.
The primary objective of this wall is to establish an oasis characterized by a pleasant auditory environment and available seating. Its vegetation and shading properties not only create a cooler spot for individuals seeking respite on warmer days but also provide a sanctuary for both people and pollinators. Furthermore, the modular structure makes it easy to create different sized configurations - or move it in different locations.
The modular green wall represents a deliberate step toward enhancing urban spaces with increased greenery and enhanced comfort. Studies have substantiated that green spaces contribute to improved well-being, while diverse plant life within urban areas significantly bolsters biodiversity. This initiative fosters healthier and more harmonious urban environments.
The primary objective of this wall is to establish an oasis characterized by a pleasant auditory environment and available seating. Its vegetation and shading properties not only create a cooler spot for individuals seeking respite on warmer days but also provide a sanctuary for both people and pollinators. Furthermore, the modular structure makes it easy to create different sized configurations - or move it in different locations.
The modular green wall represents a deliberate step toward enhancing urban spaces with increased greenery and enhanced comfort. Studies have substantiated that green spaces contribute to improved well-being, while diverse plant life within urban areas significantly bolsters biodiversity. This initiative fosters healthier and more harmonious urban environments.
Key objectives for sustainability
The primary sustainability goals focus on tackling urban challenges through nature-based solutions. Mitigating traffic noise remains a priority while concurrently establishing a visually appealing environment for relaxation and social interaction which is accessible and open for all. The space formed by the modular green wall is not only inviting but also contributes to cooling, thereby addressing the urban heat island effect. The vegetation actively draws in a diverse array of insects and pollinators, serving as a vital source of sustenance and refuge for them.
Moreover, the element's sustainability is realized through a circular furniture system: every Parkly-component, module, and structure can be repurposed in different locations and configurations, ensuring an ongoing cycle of reuse and reducing environmental impact.
Moreover, the element's sustainability is realized through a circular furniture system: every Parkly-component, module, and structure can be repurposed in different locations and configurations, ensuring an ongoing cycle of reuse and reducing environmental impact.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The solution places significant emphasis on aesthetics, evident in both the design of the modular system and its overall appearance, including the careful selection of plants. User-friendliness is also a priority, demonstrated by strategically locating pollinator-friendly plants not only adjacent to the seating area but also on the rear side of the wall. This design enhances comfort: while users can observe the pollinators, the insects remain separate, flying and staying on the opposite side. Additionally, the choice of colors and materials for the modules prioritizes durability, sensory comfort, and tactile appeal.
Key objectives for inclusion
The green structure is situated within an accessible public space, inviting everyone to witness, experience, and explore its presence. This strategic placement brings nature-based solutions closer to individuals and underscores the significance of implementing solutions of varying scales—small, medium, and large—in areas where people reside, work, and frequent within cities.
Moreover, throughout the pilot project, we conducted an extensive participation survey to gather feedback about the solution's efficacy. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive mapping of locations where people expressed interest in having similar structures. This evaluation aimed to ascertain the specific needs and preferences surrounding such solutions within communities.
The modular green wall stands as an accessible solution for cities and urban stakeholders seeking to enhance well-being and livability by incorporating such structures into their environments.
Moreover, throughout the pilot project, we conducted an extensive participation survey to gather feedback about the solution's efficacy. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive mapping of locations where people expressed interest in having similar structures. This evaluation aimed to ascertain the specific needs and preferences surrounding such solutions within communities.
The modular green wall stands as an accessible solution for cities and urban stakeholders seeking to enhance well-being and livability by incorporating such structures into their environments.
Results in relation to category
The Modular Green Wall's impact lies in its holistic use of nature-based solutions, which enhance urban areas by improving soundscapes, fostering well-being through nature connection, supporting biodiversity, and providing social meeting spaces. Its success encourages stakeholders to expedite city greening efforts and integrate green solutions like the one we have implemented into various urban projects. Moreover, empirical data reinforces its impact: the demonstrated reduction of traffic noise underscores its functional value while enriching our urban landscape with beauty and vitality.
Furthermore, the testing of such solutions promotes a culture of experimentation in cities, facilitating faster adoption of new solutions through real-life testing. The substantial support for biodiversity, as evidenced by pollinator counts and the visual presence of bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and other insects, inspires citizens, planners, and designers to advocate for further actions and direct connections to urban nature.
The inclusive and participatory testing and evaluation processes have empowered everyone to voice their opinions and share their urban space preferences - and base their opinions and views on first hand experience.
For the solution providers, Parkly and Innogreen, this project has served as a pivotal moment to test, refine, and offer the solution to other stakeholders committed to enhancing the social, green, and livable aspects of their cities. The Modular Green Wall's structural adaptability and its consequential impact call for enduring transformations, influencing the planning of our cities.
Furthermore, the testing of such solutions promotes a culture of experimentation in cities, facilitating faster adoption of new solutions through real-life testing. The substantial support for biodiversity, as evidenced by pollinator counts and the visual presence of bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and other insects, inspires citizens, planners, and designers to advocate for further actions and direct connections to urban nature.
The inclusive and participatory testing and evaluation processes have empowered everyone to voice their opinions and share their urban space preferences - and base their opinions and views on first hand experience.
For the solution providers, Parkly and Innogreen, this project has served as a pivotal moment to test, refine, and offer the solution to other stakeholders committed to enhancing the social, green, and livable aspects of their cities. The Modular Green Wall's structural adaptability and its consequential impact call for enduring transformations, influencing the planning of our cities.
How Citizens benefit
Aligned with the New European Bauhaus principle of citizen-centric benefits, the solution is designed to be accessible to all, contingent upon its specific locations. In Helsinki's pilot project, the modular green wall found its place at the heart of the city, positioned on a public square. This deliberate placement ensured universal access, enabling everyone to intimately experience the advantages of the green structure firsthand.
The project's objectives were transparently communicated to the public, encouraging their active participation by inviting feedback for continual enhancement of the solution. Additionally, we gathered location suggestions to further promote the development of similar solutions in various settings, including other street environments, underutilized urban spaces, and spaces focused on well-being and health, such as hospitals. This endeavor actively champions the necessity for more nature-based solutions and increased greenery within urban landscapes.
Moreover, to better understand the impact and usage patterns, we conducted interviews and closely observed the utilization of the space, aligning our efforts with the principles of community engagement and citizen-centered design advocated by the New European Bauhaus initiative.
The project's objectives were transparently communicated to the public, encouraging their active participation by inviting feedback for continual enhancement of the solution. Additionally, we gathered location suggestions to further promote the development of similar solutions in various settings, including other street environments, underutilized urban spaces, and spaces focused on well-being and health, such as hospitals. This endeavor actively champions the necessity for more nature-based solutions and increased greenery within urban landscapes.
Moreover, to better understand the impact and usage patterns, we conducted interviews and closely observed the utilization of the space, aligning our efforts with the principles of community engagement and citizen-centered design advocated by the New European Bauhaus initiative.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
This project's innovation lies in its successful testing, confirming a reduction of traffic noise levels by 7 decibels. This achievement stems from the thoughtful design of the modular structure, the selection of plants and biomaterials, and the utilization of a double-sided green structure. Additionally, Parkly's modular units constitute a circular street furniture system, setting them apart from other furniture systems. Each component can be interchanged, recycled, or reused as required, allowing for diverse configurations in various sizes and shapes.
The structure operates akin to a "green meadow" due to its substantial volume of plants, setting it apart from numerous other vertical green solutions. The incorporation of seating within the green wall presents an innovative concept that seamlessly merges urban nature with communal spaces, fostering a unique connection between people and the environment.
The structure operates akin to a "green meadow" due to its substantial volume of plants, setting it apart from numerous other vertical green solutions. The incorporation of seating within the green wall presents an innovative concept that seamlessly merges urban nature with communal spaces, fostering a unique connection between people and the environment.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The project involved a diverse range of disciplines and roles, encompassing urban designers, placemakers, horticulturists, gardeners, sound engineers, urban division planners, and researchers. This collaborative development process comprised discussions and decision-making regarding various aspects, such as the final configuration of the module constellation, its height, plant selection, color choice, and the subsequent monitoring of outcomes.
The co-creation process added significant value by ensuring a well-planned and solidly founded pilot project, positioning it for success. The collaborative input from diverse disciplines contributed to the final outcome, influencing its aesthetics, functionality, and research findings.
The co-creation process added significant value by ensuring a well-planned and solidly founded pilot project, positioning it for success. The collaborative input from diverse disciplines contributed to the final outcome, influencing its aesthetics, functionality, and research findings.
Methodology used
The approach adopted in this project harnesses the benefits of urban experiments to both test and advance ideas. These experiments serve as a leading methodology for swiftly developing more sustainable solutions tailored for our cities. Moreover, the project places significant emphasis on co-creation and knowledge sharing. The process is characterized by its participatory and transparent nature, with user feedback and data collection forming an integral aspect of the project's framework.
How stakeholders are engaged
The project engaged various local stakeholders, including the City of Helsinki, which aimed to assess green infrastructures as noise barriers. This involvement spanned departments such as the Urban Environment Division, TestBed Helsinki, and Forum Virium Helsinki. Other contributors included Parkly, providing modular and circular urban furniture solutions, Innogreen, specializing in green structures and plants, and consulting firm WSP, responsible for advising on locations, conducting sound measurements, and modeling.
Although the pilot project primarily focused on the local scope, efforts were made to extend its reach globally. The solution garnered international exposure and communication, notably showcased at events like the Smart City Expo in Barcelona.
Moreover, citizen engagement played a pivotal role, with active involvement in providing user feedback and evaluating the effectiveness of the solution. This emphasis on citizen participation aligns with the project's dedication to fostering inclusive and user-centered design principles. University researchers utilized the pilot project to track bumblebee populations across Helsinki while gathering weather-related location data.
Although the pilot project primarily focused on the local scope, efforts were made to extend its reach globally. The solution garnered international exposure and communication, notably showcased at events like the Smart City Expo in Barcelona.
Moreover, citizen engagement played a pivotal role, with active involvement in providing user feedback and evaluating the effectiveness of the solution. This emphasis on citizen participation aligns with the project's dedication to fostering inclusive and user-centered design principles. University researchers utilized the pilot project to track bumblebee populations across Helsinki while gathering weather-related location data.
Global challenges
The solution tackles pressing global challenges, notably densification and urbanization, by offering compact solutions suitable for various densely populated urban areas. Its use of vertical greenery contributes to urban well-being, aiming to alleviate traffic noise—a crucial factor in urban living—while emphasizing the multi-sensory needs integral to creating livable cities.
Moreover, this solution addresses and underscores the issue of biodiversity loss by incorporating pollinator-friendly plants and insect habitats. It effectively combats the urban heat island effect, a concern impacting numerous cities worldwide, by locally implementing measures to counter it.
Furthermore, Parkly's modular units champion resource efficiency through their circular design, minimizing waste and resource consumption. This approach enables cities to undertake improvements without relying on robust, material-intensive structures, thus promoting sustainable urban development.
Moreover, this solution addresses and underscores the issue of biodiversity loss by incorporating pollinator-friendly plants and insect habitats. It effectively combats the urban heat island effect, a concern impacting numerous cities worldwide, by locally implementing measures to counter it.
Furthermore, Parkly's modular units champion resource efficiency through their circular design, minimizing waste and resource consumption. This approach enables cities to undertake improvements without relying on robust, material-intensive structures, thus promoting sustainable urban development.
Learning transferred to other parties
The solution exhibits considerable potential for transfer and replication: Parkly's modular units are presently accessible across Europe, and the green wall module, created in collaboration with Innogreen, will soon join the lineup of products available for adoption by cities, municipalities, and other urban stakeholders. This addition aims to address noise pollution, introduce more pollinator-friendly structures, and establish comfortable green retreats within urban environments. Furthermore, the openly shared test results encourage stakeholders to incorporate more green spaces in urban areas, fostering the creation of more livable cities.
Keywords
Green infrastructure
Connecting to nature
Liveable cities
Multisensory experience
Placemaking
