Under the theme “ Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future,” World Water Week 2024, organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), will take place from August 25th to 29th. This is one of the most significant global events focusing on water issues.

In a world where access to potable water and basic sanitation remains a challenge for billions of people, sustainable solutions are essential to address the risks associated with water scarcity and climate change.

 The Global Water Challenge

Currently, approximately 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, while 3.6 billion do not have adequate sanitation services. This situation, exacerbated by population growth, pollution, and variability in precipitation, places water at the forefront of the global sustainable development agenda.

Without proper management, the consequences of this water crisis will be felt in food security, public health, and economic stability, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.

 Living Walls: A Sustainable Solution

Living walls, also known as green walls, emerge as an effective and multifunctional solution to mitigate some of the water-related challenges we face today. These structures not only enhance urban aesthetics but also offer several key benefits:

– Reduction of the Urban Heat Island Effect: In cities where paved surfaces and concrete buildings increase temperatures, living walls help cool the environment. The vegetation absorbs solar radiation and evapotranspires, reducing the need for air conditioning and, consequently, the consumption of energy and water.

– Improvement of Air Quality: Plants covering living walls act as natural filters, trapping dust particles and other air pollutants. By improving air quality, the risk of respiratory diseases is reduced, a critical factor in densely populated urban areas.

– Biodiversity and Urban Habitats: By incorporating vegetation into building façades, new habitats are created for urban species such as insects, birds, and other small animals. This contributes to urban biodiversity and the overall health of the ecosystem.

The Importance of Contributing to Water Resource Management and Sustainable Urban Environments through Innovative Solutions

At Terapia Urbana, living wall systems are based on Fytotextile Technology.

The Fytotextile multilayer system creates the healthiest conditions for plant roots, thanks to the excellent breathability of the outer layer, which optimises the balance between water, air, and substrate for each plant.

Its design increases root oxygenation and improves irrigation distribution, ensuring even water dispersion across the intermediate layer, thus optimising water consumption.

Additionally, the system allows for easy access to the irrigation system, facilitating better maintenance.

A Comprehensive Approach to Water Management

As climate change continues to manifest through water-related extreme events, it is crucial that adaptation strategies consider all available solutions.

Living walls, when integrated with other measures such as sustainable infrastructure, can be a powerful tool to enhance urban climate resilience.

Furthermore, for these interventions to be effective, they must be accompanied by public policies that promote water efficiency and the development of technologies that enable the reuse and recycling of water resources. Investments in efficient irrigation systems, the use of greywater in agriculture, and the implementation of environmental education programmes are additional steps towards a more sustainable future.

The Future of Green Cities

Water is an essential resource, not only for human life but also for economic growth and global stability.

Adopting and expanding the use of living walls in urban environments is, therefore, one of the many ways we can move towards a world where water is not only managed more efficiently but also valued and protected as the vital resource it is. With an integrated approach and solutions such as living walls, we can move closer to the goal of truly sustainable and climate-resilient development.