Green / living walls information

The aim of a living wall is to replicate the ecosystem services (i.e. the benefits that people derive from nature) and ecological requirements of the local area.  The Council uses the term living wall to differentiate between a living green wall which offers a wide range of environmental benefits and health benefits and artificial or moss walls which are not living and therefore offer limited benefits.    

Living walls can be both interior and exterior.  External living walls offer many environmental and health benefits including improving urban biodiversity, absorbing surface water run off, reducing air pollution, energy efficiencies (helping keep buildings warm in the winter and cool in the summer) and improve amenity value.  Interior living walls offer health and wellbeing benefits for building occupants however offer a limited range of ecosystem services. 

There are three main types of living walls: 

1. Green facades- traditionally climbers have been used to green walls.  Installing wires or trellises systems onto or against walls to support climbers. These systems are cost effective to install, reduces direct contact between the wall and plant and encourages growth.   
2. Modular system - this high tech solution uses modular systems.  There are a wide range of systems on the market, including those constructed of plastic, metal or Rockwool.  Modular systems enable plants to be planted into growing medium in the modules, and most come with an integrated irrigation system.
3. Vertical raingardens - a vertical raingarden is where a living wall is a sustainable urban drainage feature.  This is achieved by disconnecting downpipes, and storing then using rain water for irrigation.  It can be both high (active) i.e. using pumps to irrigate or low (passive) i.e. where water seeps through a permeable membrane.    

How do living walls support the objectives of the strategy?

Living walls provide numerous ecosystem services and therefore benefits to wellbeing and wildlife.  External living walls can contribute considerably to all of the five principles of  green infrastructure.  Internal living walls do not meet the five principles as they are not biodiverse, have limited multifunctionality and climate change benefits.  A full description of the 5 principles of green infrastructure can be found on page 21 of the strategy.

Recommended species

Increasing biodiversity and creating a green artery through the Swansea Central Area linking the adjacent wildlife corridors to create connections for wildlife is core aim of the strategy.  Living walls should specify native species or species with a demonstrated biodiversity value for local wildlife creating 'buzz highways' or 'B-lines', shelter and food for wildlife.  Species should be suitable for exposed and dry conditions, the local environment and proximity to the bay and its associated coastal microclimate. 

Advice from qualified ecologists and landscape architects on species choice is recommended.  Plants with a demonstrated biodiversity value can be found on the Royal Horticultural Society Plants for Pollinators document at   https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/pdf/conservation-and-biodiversity/wildlife/plants-for-pollinators-garden-plants.pdf

The habitats created should be designed to support the local ecology i.e. plants, birds animals and invertebrates and can include log piles, sand piles, bee hotels etc. 

Living walls and the Green Space Factor (GSF) Tool

The verity of ecosystem services provided by external living walls give them a high GSF tool score of 0.6 with biodiverse living walls scoring of 0.7.  Internal living walls, though valuable for human health and wellbeing, do not provide a GSF tool score.

Design, specification and maintenance

When designing a living wall ensure you contact the relevant services in the council.  Consideration needs to be given to the impact of the wall to surrounding infrastructure and spaces.  Relevant departments may include; Planning Services, Highways, Drainage and Nature Conservation, Landscape Design.   

The design needs to demonstrate how it meet the 5 principles of GI, as outlined above.

The scheme needs to be supported by a suitable maintenance plan, which addresses both what maintenance will be required and how this maintenance will need to be carried out i.e. access for maintenance, plant replacement. 

Useful resources / websites

www.livingroofs.org.uk - Living Roofs are the UK's leading independent website which provides news research and the latest innovations in green roof and wall technology. 

Plants for Pollinators advice and downloadable lists / RHS Gardening  - Royal Horticultural Society: use the plants for pollinators filter at this link to view the selection of plants

Living Roofs and Walls - Technical Report: Supporting London Plan Policy - Living Roofs and walls, Technical Report: Supporting London Planning Policy, Greater London Authority 2008.                 

Local case studies

Coastal Housing, Potter's Wheel: Designed and installed by Scotscape, using Welsh Government's Transforming Towns Green Infrastructure Grant. The green wall was part of the refurbishment of 85-86 the Kingsway.  The planting and breathable soil pouches filter particulates and vegetation provides food and shelter for birds and insets along with amenity value. 

Coastal Park:Copr Bay's 1.1 acre coastal park includes a green façade living wall running along the Oystermouth Road side of the new car park.  The living wall provides year round colour and amenity value, offer shelter and food for birds and insects, absorb pollution and surface water running off providing summer cooling.