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A Nature-Inspired Green–Blue Solution: Incorporating a Fog Harvesting Technique into Urban Green Wall Design

Author

Listed:
  • Lujain Hadba

    (Lab2PT (The Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal)

  • Maria Giovanna Di Bitonto

    (Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Marta Oliveira

    (CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal)

  • Paulo Mendonça

    (Lab2PT (The Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal)

  • Alessandra Zanelli

    (Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Ligia Torres Silva

    (CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal)

Abstract

This research aims to explore the use of vegetation and nets to collect water from fog on facades to meet the needs of buildings’ functional requirements, particularly outdoor thermal comfort, water demands, and encouraging sustainability by suggesting a new architectural green–blue wall system. The system is posited to be applicable within an urban context, given its minimal spatial requirements and adaptability to existing structures. However, similar challenges to those encountered by green walls are anticipated, wherein the provision of sustainable benefits is offset by the demands of maintenance and associated additional costs. For this reason, this paper is mainly divided into two parts: in the first part, green facades are explained, referring to their effect on urban environment, including thermal comfort, pollution absorption, noise pollution, and well-being, as well as types of plants to apply on green walls; the second part focuses on the fog collector as an irrigation system for green walls, analyzing its components, structure, and fabric, to identify its development margins in the construction industry. Fog harvesting initiatives predominantly focus on rural regions to cater to agricultural demands; however, limiting fog harvesting to agricultural settings is considered insufficient, as it represents a crucial solution for addressing water challenges in specific urban environments. Nevertheless, it is worth investigating the fog collector’s potential for integrating water supply in urban environments as well. The study focuses on exploring the environmental benefits of fog harvesting and green walls, particularly through their combined implementation. The proposed review is significant for guiding the integration of a device into green facades, ensuring water self-sufficiency while concurrently addressing air purification, noise reduction, and thermal comfort for pedestrians and urban inhabitants. Nevertheless, it is worth investigating the fog collector’s potential for integrating water supply in urban environments as well. The proposed review is, therefore, useful for integrating a device represented by the fog harvesting system, also identified in the text as the blue system, into the design of green facades, identified in the text as the green system, integrating the blue element in the design of the green wall to make them water self-sufficient and at the same time purifying the air, reducing noise pollution, or giving thermal comfort to pedestrians and inhabitants of the urban context.

Suggested Citation

  • Lujain Hadba & Maria Giovanna Di Bitonto & Marta Oliveira & Paulo Mendonça & Alessandra Zanelli & Ligia Torres Silva, 2024. "A Nature-Inspired Green–Blue Solution: Incorporating a Fog Harvesting Technique into Urban Green Wall Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-21, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:792-:d:1320597
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert S. Schemenauer & Pilar Cereceda, 1994. "Fog collection's role in water planning for developing countries," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 18(2), pages 91-100, May.
    2. Peter J. Irga & Fraser R. Torpy & Daniel Griffin & Sara J. Wilkinson, 2023. "Vertical Greening Systems: A Perspective on Existing Technologies and New Design Recommendation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Pérez, Gabriel & Coma, Julià & Sol, Salvador & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2017. "Green facade for energy savings in buildings: The influence of leaf area index and facade orientation on the shadow effect," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 424-437.
    4. Fernando Fonseca & Marina Paschoalino & Lígia Silva, 2023. "Health and Well-Being Benefits of Outdoor and Indoor Vertical Greening Systems: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Berardi, Umberto & GhaffarianHoseini, AmirHosein & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali, 2014. "State-of-the-art analysis of the environmental benefits of green roofs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 411-428.
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