Why City Greenery Matters

Greenery is not just visually appealing, it also has many benefits for both us and wildlife.

For example:

• Helping Insects. Even a small patch of greenery can help native insects [1],
• Removing cancer causing toxins,[2],
• Removing rainfall microplastics, [3]
• Reducing city temperatures [4]

Creating Paths for Wildlife

Cities might have large expanses without any greenery at all, and that can create habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation is when the natural paths and territories of a living creature is broken up. This limits the area animals can forage, can limit mating options, and can completely disrupt migration patterns. Due to this, habitat fragmentation is showing to have world-wide consequences. [5]

Even the smallest of creatures matter, which is why some locations are starting to think about paths insects can take through cities. [6]

Unique Ideas

Moss

Since moss can absorb 6x more C02 than other plants[7], some, like Gorespyre, are working to add more moss to cities.

Vertical Meadows:

If a city does not have the space to plant trees or shrubs, some cities are instead choosing to grow greenery up the sides of buildings. This can reduce building heat loss,[8], and when paired with the correct native plant, can help local wildlife. [9]

The main key to this is to choose native plants that can handle the harsh weather a building might endure, while also not having a very large root system. This typically means no trees.

Building For Greenery

Some architects build with including greenery in mind. A great example of this comes from Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who worked both greenery into his creations.