A STUDY TO IMPROVE THE KNOWLEDGE BASE OF VERTICAL GREENERY SYSTEM (VGS) MAINTAINABILITY IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

Abstract

In light of increasing concerns internationally regarding the onslaught of climate change and its impact on the environment, sustainability as a concept has gained much traction over the past few decades the world over. Due to increasing global populations and urbanization patterns, high-rise high-density buildings are increasingly common. Particularly within the built environment, Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) as an idea and sustainability tool have been commonly integrated into the facades of buildings, especially high-rise buildings to utilize its large vertical surface area and gain from its myriad of benefits ranging from thermal insulation and reduction in building cooling loads to air quality improvement and aesthetics, to name a few. Despite increasing adoption of vertical greening technology in the built environment, vertical greenery usage still remains at its infancy stage. Furthermore, amongst adopted systems, a multitude of defects and risks still exist in VGS systems installed in high-rise buildings around the world. A major reason for this is due to the lack of knowledge regarding an optimal understanding of the requirements for high maintainability of VGS in high-rise buildings, as high-rise buildings demand a more complex level of design considerations due to its larger-scale, more complex structural requirements as well as its exposure to harsher environmental conditions, as compared to low-rise buildings. Therefore, this research paper attempts to build upon the knowledge base for VGS maintainability in high-rise buildings by contributing essential information gathered from multiple primary and secondary sources. Comprehensive studies on VGS defects, best practices, key considerations and factors have been studied to gain a better understanding of VGS applicability in tall buildings. Literature findings have then been thoroughly validated through case studies and interviews with industry experts to better understand maintainability issues and how to best address them right from the planning and design stage. In essence, this research paper holds much potential in its academic and practical significance. Academically, it contributes to the knowledge base of maintainability considerations of VGS of high-rise buildings by validating existing knowledge with findings from primary data sources. A framework is developed with these findings and can find practical use by industry stakeholders such as building designers, building managers and building owners in economic, social and environmental aspects by improving their understanding of issues, VGS life-cycle cost analysis, and cost-benefit analysis for decision-making situations by providing an overview of the key factors and considerations in the creation of a successful, effective and maintainable VGS for high-rise buildings.