Energy / Climate Change

December 11, 2011

 

'Green Curtain' Outside Chiba City Hall Helps Reduce Indoor Temperature

Keywords: Climate Change Ecosystems / Biodiversity Local government 

The Green Policy Division of the Parks and Green Space Department of Chiba City in Chiba Prefecture announced the completion of its "green curtain" on August 18, 2011. A green curtain is a type of wall garden made of climbing plants growing on trellis netting.

Chiba City's green curtain measures 50 meters long by 4 meters high and was constructed outside the first-floor windows on the west side of the main government building. Five varieties of plants were used: 20 bitter gourds (also known in Japanese as "goya"), 30 morning glories, 10 dishcloth gourds, 20 balloon vines, and 20 cypress vines.

Periodic measurements of the outside air temperature after constructing the trellis netting showed that the green curtain helped prevent the inside temperature from rising by as much as seven degrees Celsius. This was due to the curtain's effect in blocking direct sunlight, as well as the transpiration of the plants. Also, the visual representation of green plants and colorful flowers such as morning glories create a cool ambience. Berries harvested from the bitter gourds were given to the city's child consultation center to be used as an ingredient for cooking workshops.

Having faced electricity shortages after the Tohoku Earthquake, Japan now has greater hope in the power of green curtains to help conserve energy. Chiba City is promoting green curtains as part of its efforts to expand urban greening, which is expected to help mitigate heat island phenomenon and save electricity.

Japanese University to Grow Green Curtain with Japanese Yam (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/031291.html
Idle Fields Changed to Green Curtains with Fruits and Flowers (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/031263.html

Posted: 2011/12/11 06:00:15 AM

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