•  
A+ A A-

Using Moss to Clean Air in Urban Areas - Mobile “CityTree” Installations

city tree moss

A German company has an innovative solution to the air pollution problem plaguing many of the world's cities today. Instead of planting trees, which take time to grow, they developed a mobile installation that can absorb air particles and CO2.

INNOVATIVE AND TIMELY

Design concepts for the cities of the future usually involve a number of ideas that challenge current norms — whether it be in architecture, city planning, or materials engineering. Some of these are quite fascinating, and others border on science fiction and the absurd. Many concepts, even those that are at first seemingly a bit strange, are already seeing applications today. One example are a series of functional mobile installations that have been popping up in a number of cities all over the world.

Developed by Berlin-based tech startup Green City Solutions, these mobile installations work as trees in the middle of cities — hence the name CityTree — to filter air. Since actual trees take time to grow, CityTree isn’t exactly a tree — it’s actually a moss culture.

city tree parisImages courtesy of Green City Solutions.

“Moss protected by plant coverage binds particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and CO2e and produces valuable oxygen. At the same time it cools the surrounding air,” according to the company’s website. Each installation is about 3 meters (9.84 ft) wide, stands at almost 4 meters (13.12 ft) tall and were planted 2.19 meters (7.19 ft) deep.

AIR POLLUTION IS EVERYONE’S PROBLEM

The best part about CityTree, Green City Solutions claims, is that it’s capable of providing the same environmental benefit 275 actual trees would. It’s able to absorb some 250 grams of particles per day, removing 240 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year.

“Moss cultures have a much larger leaf surface area than any other plant. That means we can capture more pollutants,” Zhengliang Wu, co-founder of Green City Solutions, told CNN. Wu was part of a team that conceptualized the idea and installed a CityTree in Brussels four years ago.

citytree 2

Each has Wi-Fi-enabled sensors capable of measuring the quality of air around it. Since it takes up a relatively small space and can be installed fairly seamlessly in parks (even accompanied by with benches) CityTree has proven to be an efficient and fairly cost-effective (they cost around $25,000 each to install) strategy for cleaning the air.

Global air pollution continues to be a huge problem, as the World Health Organization notes — especially in urban centers. This is why Green City has already installed around 20 of their “trees” in cities throughout the world, including Oslo, Paris, and Hong Kong. CityTrees are currently being installed in Modena, Italy and plans to introduce it to low-income countries that have high levels of pollutants — like India — are on the way as well.

city tree slimline

“Our ultimate goal is to incorporate technology from the CityTree into existing buildings,” Wu said. “We dream of creating a climate infrastructure so we can regulate what kind of air and also what kind of temperature we have in a city.”

References: CNNGreen City Solutions

Pin It

Liked this article? Dive deeper into personal growth and wellness! Check out CrystalWind.ca for spiritual wisdom or explore AromaWorx.ca for natural well-being tips. Spread the positivity—share this with friends on their happiness journey!

Let’s Chat! Drop Your Thoughts Below! Scroll down to comment

Keep CrystalWind.ca free—your gift matters now!
Help us spread light today. Thank you, supporters!

Follow this blog

Featured Writers

Thank You for Visiting CrystalWind!

We’re honored to be part of your journey.

Share your thoughts at .

Let’s grow together!

Imagine a world of inspiration and healing, free for all—made possible by YOU!
Donate Now—Ignite the Magic at CrystalWind.ca!

Support CrystalWind.ca Today!

Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!

 

Call For Writers

Call For Writers!

Follow Us!

Who is Online Now

We have 25082 guests and no members online

Featured This Month

Page:

Green Aventurine

Green Aventurine

The Emotional Balancer Stone Green Aventurine is perhaps the best balancing... Read more

Birth Totem Falcon: Are You a Natural Leader…

Birth Totem Falcon: Are You a Natural Leader?

Birth Totem Falcon Birth dates: March 21 – April 19 Birth Totem is: Falcon... Read more

Eudialyte: Your Aries Power Stone Revealed!

Eudialyte: Your Aries Power Stone Revealed!

Eudialyte Birthstone: Aries Planet: Mars Element: Fire Chakra: Heart Eud... Read more

Dandelion: The Surprising Power of this Medi…

Dandelion: The Surprising Power of this Medicine Wheel Plant!

Reminds you of the abundance life holds. Gender: Masculine Planet: Jupiter E... Read more

Budding Trees Moon: Medicine Wheel Insights!

Budding Trees Moon: Medicine Wheel Insights!

Red Hawk - Fire Opal - Dandelion - Yellow March 21 – April 19 The Budding Tr... Read more

Aries

Aries

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Spirit: Adventurous, courageous Read more

The Crystal Wind Oracle Card Deck

The Crystal Wind Oracle Card Deck

The Crystal Wind Oracle™ The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card D... Read more

Hematite

Hematite

The Grounding Stone With its iron content, hematite has a strengthening inf... Read more

Beltane

Beltane

Beltane Ritual Celebrated May 1st Beltane is also known as May Day, Walpurg... Read more

Bright Beltane Blessings!

Bright Beltane Blessings!

The wheel turns to Beltane, also known as Mayday, marking the beginning of S... Read more

Sun in Aries: Unleash Your Power!

Sun in Aries: Unleash Your Power!

Aries March 21 through April 20 An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for A... Read more

Bloodstone

Bloodstone

The Blood Energizer Stone The combined colours of bloodstone allow it to fu... Read more

Aries Mythology: Discover the Secrets

Aries Mythology: Discover the Secrets

The Mythology of Aries When we dive into the mythology of Aries, we need to... Read more

Diamond

Diamond

The King of all Stones The diamond symbolizes wisdom and enlightenment, pur... Read more

The Time of No Time: Beltane!

The Time of No Time: Beltane!

Around the medicine wheel of life we go, from season to season (solstice to ... Read more

 

 

X

Right Click

No right click