Urban oasis: green sanctuaries in the Neues Marktplatz square
Mobile Vertical Gardens Cool Urban Areas During Heatwaves
In a bid to adapt urban areas to the consequences of climate change, innovative solutions like mobile vertical gardens are being implemented. These systems, equipped with high-pressure mist spray systems, have proven effective in cooling urban environments during hot summer days.
The town of Neuwied, Germany, recently installed four mobile vertical gardens on its market square to provide refreshment and more biodiversity in the city centre. The mist spray system can lower the ambient temperature on hot days by up to twelve degrees, making the city centre more bearable during heatwaves.
These mobile gardens are a result of a collaboration between the Technical University of Bingen and are subsidized from the funding program "Future-Proof Inner Cities and Centers" of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSWB). The water consumption of the mist spray system is only two to three liters per hour, making it an eco-friendly solution.
The mist spray system is not in continuous operation; it can be activated by touching a sensor for about a minute. Rainwater is collected and used for irrigation in the "MobiGa" systems, promoting a circular economy.
Daniel Ragonese, the climate adaptation manager in Neuwied, is tasked with adapting the city to climate change and making it more livable and sustainable. For questions about the mobile gardens, contact Daniel Ragonese at 02631/802 144 or [email protected].
The mobile gardens in Neuwied provide multiple benefits. They reduce direct solar radiation on hard surfaces, lowering heat absorption. They also increase humidity locally without discomfort due to the fine mist, which aids cooling. The gardens help reduce surface and air temperatures that typically rise in densely built-up areas, known as urban heat islands.
Moreover, these gardens enhance citizen well-being by providing cooler, more comfortable public spaces and potential increases in urban biodiversity. The shading provided by the vertical gardens and the transpiration of the plants help create localized “cool islands” in dense urban spaces where conventional green infrastructure like parks or large trees may be difficult to implement.
The mobile gardens in Neuwied will be on the market square for three months. They are a testament to the effectiveness of innovative solutions in highly dense urban areas to adapt to climate change and improve livability.
[1] Source: TU Bingen
- The mobile vertical gardens, originating from a collaboration between the Technical University of Bingen, are a substantial contribution to environmental science, as they help mitigate urban heatwaves brought about by climate-change.
- The implementation of these mobile gardens, such as those in Neuwied, Germany, not only promotes environmental-science but also advances sustainable-living initiatives, by consuming minimal water and fostering circular economy practices.
- For individuals aiming to incorporate sustainable-living practices into their home-and-garden, the emergence of eco-friendly cooling solutions like mobile vertical gardens, adapted to urban spaces, presents a viable option to create a more comfortable and eco-conscious lifestyle.
