Mexican vertical gardens help transform urban image / 墨國打造垂直花園 有助淨化空氣.美化市容　　　　　　　　　　

Mexico City, internationally known for its high levels of pollution and endless traffic jams, is developing a "greenway project" to modify the look of hundreds of pillars supporting elevated roads with vertical gardens. This project will help to improve the urban image of the city, decrease pollution levels and possibly reduce stress of motorists. The Greenway Project is driven by civil associations and is supported by the local government and corporate sponsors. The idea is to cover the columns which support some of the busiest thoroughfares of the city, with green walls packed with different plant species, which will have an automated irrigation system fed by rainwater. Architect Ortiz Monasterio came up with the project and is one of its main promoters. He said this is a first step to reverse the grey landscape of the Mexican capital. ==FERNANDO ORTIZ MONASTERIO, Projector Director== We live in a very grey city. Very grey and we forget because we have become used to that being our urban landscape. As soon as we find a park, a green landscape, we realise our mood changes. We are less irritable and so we hope this transformation of the urban image not only achieves an aesthetic change in the city but also an impact in mood, productivity and stress in people. Ortiz Monasterio argues that the green walls will help generate oxygen and absorb pollutants, in addition to moderating noise caused by traffic. The green walls, added to concrete structures, have been placed on metal racks. They can be opened up to check if the columns are still in good condition. The racks are coated with a special material or cloth, allowing the plants to grow. The water that washes down the walls is captured in the upper road when it rains. It is then stored to provide water during the dry season. Each column is equipped with sensors that measure temperature, light and humidity. This data is sent to a system to monitor the conditions. Irrigation is done automatically by remote control. Organisers hope to promote more green walls and columns around the city to transform areas, providing better balance between concrete and nature. TRANSLATED BY：JESSICA OY