http://www.greenbiz.com/article/looking-forests-urban-water-solutions
Polluted water runoff is a loaded environmental issue that poisons marine ecosystems and wildlife all over the world, but even more so on a local level here in the Puget Sound. This article details how urban environments could possibly be constructed to synthesize the time-tested solutions of natural ecosystems - a process known as biomimicry. According to the article, 50 percent of rainfall in Pacific Northwest forests is evapotranspirated - "used by the plants and then returned to the atmosphere". If urban planners could mimic this natural evaporation through building design and construction, there is a major potential to reduce pollution runoff into the Puget Sound. A company, Urban Greenprint, is starting to question and develop some ideas about implementing this on a large scale. Some of the innovate ideas they have suggested include: utilization of hydrophillic and hydrophobic surfaces, similar to moss, on the outside of buildings to hold onto rainwater and provide a greater opportunity for evaporation. Another idea they've been considering is pooling water in staggered trays off of downspouts of buildings to act in a similar manner to leaves on a tree.
This is really innovative thinking and the employees of Urban Greenprint are interested in any ideas, designs or solutions the public may have to offer. Contact them at www.urbangreenprint.org if you've got a cool idea!
No comments:
Post a Comment