By integrating nature and technology, a German start-up has discovered a solution to minimise air pollution in urban areas.
Air pollution in metropolitan areas is a major concern for residents, as it is one of the leading causes of several health complications. It is a silent killer that claims the lives of nearly 5 million people each year.
The immediate remedy is to plant more trees, which is not always practical. However, a this start-up is doing laudable work to change that with their invention called CityTrees.
What is CityTree?
CityTrees are the world’s first biotech fine dust filter for urban environments, combining the natural filtering power of mosses with smart IoT (Internet-of-Things) technology.
These CityTrees, developed by Green City Solution, a biotechnology start-up founded in Germany to combat climate change, can clean and cool the air around them owing to an autonomous irrigation and ventilation system.
Various moss cultures have the ability to purify the air by filtering out and absorbing pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, although they rarely survive in urban areas. A vertical wall of mosses with protective shade-giving trees, a completely automated supply of water and nutrients, and IoT technologies are all part of the Citytrees solution to that.
Each CityTree is under 4 metres tall, nearly 3 metres wide, and comes in two versions: one with seating space and one without.
And with an information touchpoint technology for communication or city-related news displayed on an LED screen or information boards.
The environmental benefits
The plant filter has the same effect as 275 urban trees while using 99 per cent less space, allowing it to replicate an entire forest worth of cleaning in just 3.5 square metres.
These CityTrees have approximately 2,000 moss pots, which can reduce fine dust pollution by up to 53% in their immediate vicinity. The CityTree filters 5000 m3 of air each hour, enough to cover the breathing volume of 10,000 people, and offsets 240 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
The CityTree can also drop the temperature in its immediate environs by up to 4° C on hotter days. It has sensors that collect environmental and climatic data, which are subsequently used to regulate and control the unit to ensure the plant’s survival.
Another unique aspect of CityTrees is that they can be planted in regions where trees cannot be planted or grown.
Furthermore, due to the installation of self-regenerating moss cultures, CityTrees can clean a considerable amount of air outdoors without the requirement of replacing pads.
Unlike traditional air purifying filters, which are only effective inside and require continual power and pad replacement.
It also cleans the air at the pedestrian level rather than 4 or 5 metres above, which is important because 90% of air pollution occurs in a street canyon.
The solution has been installed in a number of European cities, including Amsterdam, Norway, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Macedonia, and Germany, it has also been installed in London UK. The CityTrees are planted in front of schools or in the fortifications of busy businesses.
Read More: Sovereign Co. extends to SO.TY
