Lush Transformation: Concrete Supports Become Eco-Friendly Gardens in Mexico City
Mexico City is undertaking a remarkable urban greening initiative called Via Verde, transforming over 1,000 concrete highway pillars along a 27-kilometer stretch of the Periférico (the city's ring road) into vibrant vertical gardens. The project, as reported by Ground Report, has ambitious goals: to actively combat air pollution, mitigate urban stress for commuters, and aesthetically enhance one of the city's most heavily trafficked roadways.
The innovative gardens are constructed using a hydroponic felt material, ingeniously made from recycled plastic bottles. This felt replicates the density of natural soil, providing an ideal medium for plant roots to thrive without the need for traditional earth. Furthermore, according to the Good News Network, the sophisticated irrigation system employed by Via Verde utilizes rainwater and greywater, making the project exceptionally sustainable and resource-efficient.
Upon full completion, these extensive vertical gardens are projected to deliver significant environmental benefits, including the filtration of an estimated 27,000 tons of harmful gases, the capture of 11,000 pounds of dust, and the production of clean oxygen sufficient for 25,000 people annually. Beyond these crucial ecological advantages, Via Verde also generates employment opportunities and provides valuable rehabilitation programs for local inmates, who contribute to the project by sewing the necessary felt panels. This initiative showcases a creative and multi-faceted approach to urban sustainability, turning previously barren infrastructure into a living, breathing asset for the city.
Post a Comment