NetZeroCities

They are mainly shade structures with a total or partial vegetated surface.

Shelters in Valladolid (Spain), URBAN GreenUP project

There are different types of shading structure, depending on the structure design and the type of vegetation used, e.g. structure could be textile or wood; vegetation could be climbing and hanging plants; and installation could be fixed to the façades or done by posts.

Parklets in Izmir (Turkey), URBAN GreenUP project (https://www.urbangreenup.eu/news--events/news/new-green-areas-to-enjoy-in-izmir.kl)

Shading structures can be located in narrow streets or parks, or intalled in areas that need shaded spaces, such as squares or transport stops.They should be projected in compliance with safety conditions (access to fire brigade, cleaning services, etc.).

Climate and Geography:

Green roofs serve several functions related to urban biodiversity (Mann, 2002b). They act as stepping stones between nature reserves, such as parks on the edges of cities, and uncolonized habitats in the middle of the city. They provide a return area for plants and animals that previously inhabited an area that has undergone disturbance and development. They also can serve as permanent substitute habitats for plant and invertebrate communities.

Plants should be chosen in such a way that they are not invasive, are nutritious for pollinators and do not generate allergies, nor are they sensitive to pests. They should also favour the reduction of temperature and increase of environmental humidity to reduce the heat island effect.

Urban Form and layout:

There are different types of shading structure, depending on the possible location within the urban area. Solves the need to provide shade in places where is not possible to plant trees or Green Infrastructures that require more space. These structures can be fixed to the façades or by posts fixed to the sidewalk.

Different variants existing: Arbour, Pergola, Trellis or Green Shady Structures.

Technical aspects/infrastructure:

Green Shady Structures are composed of pieces of stretched textile structure on which an inert substrate is installed. This inert substrate is covered with seeds, which germinate and grow on the textile structure. This NBS can be fixed to the façades of the buildings on the street or by posts fixed to the sidewalk.

Policy and regulatory/legal framework & Project governance and implementation modalities:

The installation of green roofs can earn building LEED points, and if the building reaches LEED certification, can receive tax credits between €6,5 – 57/m2.

All ordinances regarding access to emergency services, municipal services, safety distances for vehicles and pavements, etc., must be taken into account when installing the system.

Funding and financing:

The green shady structures get the recovery of the investment between the 10 and the 20 years.

Economic and social context:

A German study demonstrated that green roof vegetation can significantly reduce diesel engine air pollution (Liesecke and Borgwardt, 1997) Yok Tan and Sia (2005) found a 37% and 21% reduction of sulfur dioxide and nitrous acid respectively directly above newly installed green roof. Others have estimated that green roofs can remove dust particulates per year per square meter of grass roof (Peck and Kuhn, 2001)

Hard surfaces in urban areas are more likely to reflect sound, whereas green roofs absorb sound waves because of the nature of the substrate and vegetation. At the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, a 10 cm deep green roof reduced noise levels by 5 dB (Dunnett and Kigsbury, 2004) Other research shows that 12 cm of green roof substrate alone can diminish noise by 40dB (Peck and Kuhn, 2001)

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