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City’s ‘Green Lungs’ Can Be Anywhere

Go to 'Respiratory Oases' on WorldChanging
Go to 'Respiratory Oases' on WorldChanging
 Elegant Embellishments is developing a decorative, three-dimensional architectural tile that can reduce vehicular air pollution — specifically, nitrous oxide and ground-level ozone — in urban environments. EE’s tiles respond to the priorities set by the EU Clean Air Strategy 2005, which aims to reduce pollution deaths by over 100,000, and air pollution related damages by up to 45 billion Euros annually. Emissions from combustion engines are identified as the largest contributor to air pollution in cities and often invisibly affect our breathable air. The tiles, when positioned near pollutant sources, can re-appropriate these polluted spaces for safe pedestrian use.
The tiles provide councils, developers, and designers with an easy way simultaneously to improve the air quality and visual appeal of urban spaces. A London- and Berlin-based, interdisciplinary collaboration between innovators and materials manufacturers, architects and city councils, Elegant Embellishments produces lo-tech, interactive tiles in all shapes and sizes together with Millenium Chemicals TiO2. The tiles are modular and can thus be assembled to cover any surface or create any shape desired. According to the company’s press release:
“The tiles are coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2), a pollution-fighting technology that is activated by ambient daylight. TiO2 is a photo-catalyst already known for its self-cleaning and germicidal qualities; it requires only small amounts of naturally occurring UV light and humidity to effectively reduce air pollutants into harmless amounts of carbon dioxide and water. When positioned near pollution sources, the tiles neutralise NOx and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) directly where they are generated. They transform previously inert urban surfaces into active surfaces, re-appropriate polluted spaces for safer pedestrian use, and invert problem spaces – dark, polluted, uninhabitable – to benevolent spaces that benefit communities.”

13 October 2006 | 02.44pm (CEST) | posted by Hili | |
TAGS Quality of Life & Prosperity | Science & Technology | Environment | Future

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One Response to “City’s ‘Green Lungs’ Can Be Anywhere”

  1. Guernsey Says:
    December 4th, 2006 at 12:16 am

    I live in a small island in the English Channel called Guernsey, which has a population of about 63,000 and growing. The main economic employer is the finance industry and over the past thirty years with the boom in the finance industry the skyline of our capital St Peter Port has changed beyond recognition. There are monstrosities replacing old quant French/English architecture.

    I am not one who feels that one should stand still and let the world change around them, on the contrary, I feel change is good for economic growth and one must embrace (to a certain degree) the change that comes with this economic growth. However, to feed this relentless growth there is of copurse an increase in the population, a population who need homes,bigger and better schools, a health service fit for the 21st century, the list is endless. The whole island infrastructure is both changed and dependant on one industry which is finance.

    Having all of the revenue and benefits of a vibrant finance industry a price must be paid and that price is our environment. Apart from all of the pollution from homes etc, we have around 48,000 licensed vehicles on our roads and this is just a rough estimate. Most of the traffic is centered on St Peter Port itself so one can imagine that the town area is extremely polluted.

    Within the town there are three green lungs and these green lungs are extremely important in reducing vehicular air pollution. Our government in its wisdom is planning to destroy these green lungs and make way for a more ‘Al Fresco’ feel to our town. I am extremely concerned that these green lungs are being destroyed to make way for what will be a concrete pad with tables and chairs on it.

    These green lungs have been part of our skyline for hundreds of years and serve a very important part of our eco structure. I fear that our government is not listening to the voice of those of us who are concerned about the environment and ask you if there is any data that one can obtain which one can present to the Guernsey Government on why these green lungs should not be destroyed.

    I know that a magic wand can not be waved, but something must be done so my children and their children can enjoy the beauty and benefit from these green lungs for years to come.

    Best regards