Ukrainian Journal of Forest and Wood Science

Relevant to lack of space for urban greenery, green walls becomes to be more and more popular in the big cities landscape. Against the common opinion, green walls are not the discovery of the last decades. They were inseparable element of the Middle Ages houses in region of Mediterranean See. At that time it was mainly Vitis viniphera climbing on building surfaces or bowers as a decorative plant that sometimes gives shadow and fruit. Decorative aspect of plants is still very important, but currently need for bring greenery into urban areas is connected with their other properties. First of all plants are producer of oxygen which is essentials for life for every organisms, furthermore they have an impact on improvement on local microclimate by ability of temperature reduce as well as moisture control. Plants have also ability to reduce pollution. In the cities this days, beside popular climbing plants, deferent ways of greenering vertical surface of buildings can be seen frequently. All green walls can be divided into two main groups: green facades based on the application of climbing plants, and living walls systems (LWS). In spite the fact that almost every company installing LWS has their own system structure technology, there are two basic ways of installation: continuous LWS and modular LWS. Between modular systems it is possible to make further division. When the living wall is already done and plants completely cover the surface of building, the differences between using systems are not noticeable. Decision which technology of living wall structure is the best, depend on building construction and possibilities of additional its wall load as well as planed shape of living wall. Suitable plants selection to chosen system is very important as well. Correctly made living wall is integral part of the building and fulfill all function described before.

green wall, city, plant, structure