Vertical Greening Systems (VGS) as sustainable technological solutions for air pollution reduction and biodiversity enhancement – A methodological approach for evaluating quality, sustainability, and durability of VGS design.

The urgency of addressing the climate crisis is underscored by international reports warning of an approaching critical point of no return. This contribution explores VGSs as a good strategy to enhance the urban environment, improve air quality by capturing particulate matters (PM), and foster biodiversity. The study is firmly rooted in a well-defined framework. It aims to define benchmarks for VGS as a sustainable design strategy against climate change, with their effectiveness validated through a multidisciplinary testing phase. The first phase, that is, the one addressed in this contribution, involves a systematic review of relevant literature and existing evaluation methodologies providing a comprehensive overview of the state of art. The second phase includes two databases: one focuses on the existing VGS technologies while the other on plant species, with a special focus on the native and resilient flora of Rome. In the final phase, the research engages with institutions such as INAIL to validate outcomes across technical, environmental and occupational safety. By pushing on an ecological approach in VGS design, the doctoral thesis aims to facilitate the systemic integration of VGS into sustainable architectural practices, laying the groundwork for future legislation and performance-based evaluations.