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Environmental Sustainability of Building Retrofit through Vertical Greening Systems: A Life-Cycle Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Katia Perini

    (Architecture and Design Department, University of Genoa, 16123 Genova, Italy)

  • Fabio Magrassi

    (Stam S.r.l., 16129 Genova, Italy)

  • Andrea Giachetta

    (Architecture and Design Department, University of Genoa, 16123 Genova, Italy)

  • Luca Moreschi

    (Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genoa, 16145 Genova, Italy)

  • Michela Gallo

    (Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genoa, 16145 Genova, Italy)

  • Adriana Del Borghi

    (Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genoa, 16145 Genova, Italy)

Abstract

Urban greening provides a wide range of ecosystem services to address the main challenges of urban areas, e.g., carbon sequestration, evapotranspiration and shade, thermal insulation, and pollution control. This study evaluates the environmental sustainability of a vertical greening system (VGS) built in 2014 in Italy, for which extensive monitoring activities were implemented. The life-cycle assessment methodology was applied to quantify the water–energy–climate nexus of the VGS for 1 m 2 of the building’s wall surface. Six different scenarios were modelled according to three different end-of-life scenarios and two different useful lifetime scenarios (10 and 25 years). The environmental impact of global-warming potential and generated energy consumption during the use phase in the VGS scenarios were reduced by 56% in relation to the baseline scenario (wall without VGS), and showed improved environmental performance throughout the complete life cycle. However, the water-scarcity index (WSI) of the VGS scenarios increased by 42%. This study confirms that the installation of VGSs offers a relevant environmental benefit in terms of greenhouse-gas emissions and energy consumption; however, increased water consumption in the use phase may limit the large-scale application of VGSs.

Suggested Citation

  • Katia Perini & Fabio Magrassi & Andrea Giachetta & Luca Moreschi & Michela Gallo & Adriana Del Borghi, 2021. "Environmental Sustainability of Building Retrofit through Vertical Greening Systems: A Life-Cycle Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4886-:d:544112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Magrassi, Fabio & Rocco, Elena & Barberis, Stefano & Gallo, Michela & Del Borghi, Adriana, 2019. "Hybrid solar power system versus photovoltaic plant: A comparative analysis through a life cycle approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 290-304.
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    4. Fabio Magrassi & Adriana Del Borghi & Michela Gallo & Carlo Strazza & Michela Robba, 2016. "Optimal Planning of Sustainable Buildings: Integration of Life Cycle Assessment and Optimization in a Decision Support System (DSS)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Manso, Maria & Castro-Gomes, João, 2015. "Green wall systems: A review of their characteristics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 863-871.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sheng-Yuan Wang & Kyung-Tae Lee & Ju-Hyung Kim, 2022. "Green Retrofitting Simulation for Sustainable Commercial Buildings in China Using a Proposed Multi-Agent Evolutionary Game," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-32, June.
    2. Jutta Hollands & Azra Korjenic, 2021. "Evaluation and Planning Decision on Façade Greening Made Easy—Integration in BIM and Implementation of an Automated Design Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-29, August.
    3. Silvia Vela & Chiara Calderini & Paolo Rosasco & Carlo Strazza, 2022. "Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Single-Story Steel Building in Its Life Cycle: A Comprehensive Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, November.
    4. Rowe, T. & Poppe, J. & Buyle, M. & Belmans, B. & Audenaert, A., 2022. "Is the sustainability potential of vertical greening systems deeply rooted? Establishing uniform outlines for environmental impact assessment of VGS," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    5. Adriana Del Borghi & Thomas Spiegelhalter & Luca Moreschi & Michela Gallo, 2021. "Carbon-Neutral-Campus Building: Design Versus Retrofitting of Two University Zero Energy Buildings in Europe and in the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.
    6. Ozge Ogut & Nerantzia Julia Tzortzi & Chiara Bertolin, 2022. "Vertical Green Structures to Establish Sustainable Built Environment: A Systematic Market Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-36, September.

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