Extensive Green Facades as an Alternative to the Lack of Urban Greenery
Journal
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
ISSN
1755-1307
1755-1315
Date Issued
2025
Type
journal-article
Abstract
The accelerated process of urbanization has intensified the loss of natural green areas, directly affecting the quality of life in cities. Semi-natural infrastructures, such as green facades, do not replace natural ecosystems but can mitigate their impacts by providing ecosystem services. This study is based on the hypothesis that the implementation of self-built extensive green facades, using local substrates and a mixture of native and adapted species, constitutes an accessible alternative that urban residents can construct and maintain themselves. Within this framework, the research 2 question is posed: How does the combination of support system type and plant species influence the ecological performance of extensive green facades in Andean urban contexts? Which climatic and construction-related factors determine the economic viability and ease of maintenance and self-construction of extensive green facades? The article is structured in two phases: first, a theoretical review of recent literature on extensive green facades, and second, an experimental phase involving self-built modules implemented in the city of Quito. The results show that, at least under the described climatic conditions—characterized by high solar radiation, prolonged water deficit, and wind gusts reaching up to 4.2 m/s—the selected plant species (<jats:italic>Common Ivy, Passiflora mixta</jats:italic>, and <jats:italic>Pyrostegia venusta</jats:italic>) achieved similar coverage levels during the study period, ranging from 30% to 20% between months 3 and 7, with installation costs below 41 USD per square meter. These findings highlight the feasibility of affordable systems for urban greening and their potential role in promoting resilient and inclusive development, particularly in highly variable Andean climates. However, further research is needed to assess their long-term impact on urban biodiversity, as well as their sustained structural and ecological performance over time.