CityTrees: Difference between revisions
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{{AFC comment|1=[[MOS:LEDE]]. It's preferable for the lead paragraph to act as a summary for the article contents. References in the lead paragraph are dealt with on a "case by case" basis—see [[MOS:LEADCITE]]. If the material in the lead is referenced within the body of the article, then a reference here isn't needed. However ''"Robot Trees, Robo-Trees, and Moss Walls"'' doesn't appear anywhere in the text, only in the quoted references. |
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The "References" section doesn't have its <nowiki>{{reflist}} template</nowiki>. [[User:AntientNestor|AntientNestor]] ([[User talk:AntientNestor|talk]]) 14:36, 18 November 2023 (UTC)}} |
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{{Short description|Large pollution air quality filters}} |
{{Short description|Large pollution air quality filters}} |
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{{Draft topics|northern-europe|technology}} |
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{{AfC topic|other}} |
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'''CityTrees''', also known as '''Robot Trees,''' '''Robo-Trees,''' and '''Moss Walls''' are large air filters installed in many European cities, as well as [[Hong Kong]], that remove pollutants from the atmosphere. |
'''CityTrees''', also known as '''Robot Trees,''' '''Robo-Trees,''' and '''Moss Walls''' are large air filters installed in many European cities, as well as [[Hong Kong]], that remove pollutants from the atmosphere. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Air pollution control systems]] |
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[[Category:Air filters]] |
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Revision as of 21:01, 18 November 2023
CityTrees, also known as Robot Trees, Robo-Trees, and Moss Walls are large air filters installed in many European cities, as well as Hong Kong, that remove pollutants from the atmosphere.
CityTrees are large structures covered in moss. The filters intend to curb harmful emissions from nearby traffic congestion, including fine dust particles and nitrogen oxides, of which they are claimed to take in 80%,[1] although this has been disputed by some experts.[2]
The structures have been criticized, especially in Cork, Ireland, for their perceived in-efficiency, possible wastage of energy and water, and costs of around €400,000 per year.[3][4][5] Following this criticism, a Cork City Council debate on the CityTrees scheme was held on November 13th, 2023.[6] Councilors decided that the data available for the CityTrees was too inconclusive, partly due to the windy conditions where they were placed, and so they will remain for another 6 months.[5]
Background and development
The developers of CityTrees, German-Company Green City Solutions, previously created the first vertical moss farm in Bestensee, Berlin.[7]
CityTrees have been installed in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Brussels Cork, Glasgow, Oslo, and Skopje.[6][8][9]Outside of Europe, these prototypes are also present in Hong Kong.[10]
Operations director for Cork City Council David Joyce said that the CityTrees "are not there to replace a tree", because they perform a different function. Where a tree "takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen", the CityTrees "take in particulate matter — dust — from diesel engines, from burning fossil fuels, and it captures that dust and eats the dust so it takes 80% of that dust out of the air."[1] Cork City Council were planning to plant 1,300 trees in 2021.[11]
Design
The structures are under 4 meters tall, 3.5 meters wide, and 2.19 meters deep. CityTrees are covered in mosses that capture and consume pollutants around them. Each CityTree has a bench attached.[12] They include a 40 inch TV screen that displays information about air quality in the area.[1] The structures are self sustaining with solar panels and rainwater collection systems that require only a few hours of maintenance every year.[1]
The slim version of the CityTree, for use in more compact environments, omits the bench, and takes up only 1.5 meters of floor space.[12]
Criticism
When they were installed in Cork, UCC atmospheric scientist Dr. Dean Venables told the Irish Examiner that they were "a costly and ineffectual gimmick" and predicted that they would have little impact on Cork’s air quality. He stated that it would be better to regulate production of emissions, instead of attempting to curb emissions after the fact.[1]
Labour party politician Peter Horgan called the CityTrees "the most expensive benches ever purchased by a local authority". Horgan criticised the cost for maintenance and installation, as well as the lack of a formal vote by Cork Council for their installation. It was his belief that the installation of public footpaths, benches or real trees would be more beneficial.[4] Horgan has since said he desires "a full explanation of why and how they were purchased coupled with the spending expected on them, and a full vote of the council to determine whether they should continue".[2]
Professor John Sodeau, an expert in air pollution and climate change, contests the 80% pollutant capture figure. He has stated that the independent study by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research only mentioned a particle reduction of up to 30% for indoor measurements, and that no outdoor measurements are mentioned, besides that "the measurements were shown to be dependent on meteorological conditions".[2]
Fianna Fáil Councilor Colm Kelleher has said he believes it time to "pull the plug" on the project. Kelleher decided that the CityTrees scheme was worth attempting, but that it "hasn’t worked".[13]
Similar projects
A similar air-filter modeled after trees, the “BioUrban” was constructed in Puebla, Mexico in 2019. The company that created them plans to expand to Turkey and Colombia.[14][6]
In Belgrade, Serbia, currently ranked 24th in the world for worst air quality, a "liquid tree" was installed in 2019. The liquid tree contains 600l of water and uses micro-algae that binds carbon dioxide. The company that installed the liquid tree says it is "10-50 times more efficient than trees and grass at photosynthesising and creating pure oxygen."[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e English, Liz Dunphy and Eoin (2021-08-10). "New 'robot trees' installed on Cork City streets". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ a b c "City's robot trees still rooted in controversy". Cork Independent. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
- ^ Wed; May, 03; 2023 - 17:00 (2023-05-03). "Cork's 'robot trees' labelled a waste of energy by campaigner as council analyses impact". echo live. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Curran, Faye. "Lack of transparency around Cork City 'robot trees' is 'concerning' – Councillor". Newstalk. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ a b McAuley, Eimer (2023-11-13). "Cork city cllrs decide against dumping €400,000 'robo trees', amid concerns they aren't working". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ a b c d Thu; Nov, 09; 2023 - 12:29 (2023-11-09). "Debate on robot trees looks to clear the air: What are other countries doing?". echo live. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Cork, Yay (2021-08-18). "The inventors of Cork's controversial 'robot trees' want you to check out their Berlin moss farm". Yay Cork. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ISSN 1357-0978. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
- ^ "CityTree - Reducing Urban Air Pollution One Bench at a Time". WorldAtlas. 2018-03-29. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "Vertical gardens that 'eat' air pollution and how Hong Kong could use them". South China Morning Post. 2016-09-07. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ "Tree Planting & Greening". Cork City Council. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ a b "This urban 'tree' cleans as much polluted air as an entire forest". Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building | Green design & innovation for a better world. 2017-06-26. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ Thu; Nov, 09; 2023 - 10:52 (2023-11-09). "Controversial 'CityTrees': Mixed views on what should be done next". echo live. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Mexico installs 'robotic trees' to tackle air pollution". France 24. 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2023-11-10.