Vertical gardens in Mexico City to combat pollution

‘Via Verde’ project is turning the pillars of a busy motorway green

‘Via Verde’ project is turning the pillars of a busy motorway green

In an effort to deal with high levels of air pollution and improve the city’s landscape, Mexico City is developing a project called ‘Via Verde’. Around 60,000 m² of vertical gardens will be installed on more than 1000 pillars of a busy motorway, covering a distance of 27 km. This citizen-led initiative, funded by donors and local government, runs in collaboration with the Mexican workshop VERDEVERTICAL and turns Mexico City into an international model. In a city where 6 out of 10 residents suffer from a respiratory disease due to bad air quality, these gardens will be a new green lung which will generate oxygen, absorb pollutants and even help moderate traffic noise.

The installation of the vertical gardens will not affect the pillars’ structure in any way, as they will be superimposed on prefabricated metal frames. The frames will be attached to the pillars with a series of peripheral metal rings. Τhe plants will not grow on soil, but on a hydroponic textile with a special density which allows the roots of the plants to interweave in the cloth. An automated rainwater irrigation system that will be monitored remotely via GSM, will ensure that the vegetation remains at an optimal state. In order for the gardens to retain this state in the long term, the chosen plant species to be used are of high strength, low water consumption and suitable for the surrounding conditions, requiring as little maintenance as possible.