Plantabox for Targeting the Urban Heat Island Challenge: Phase 2

Start year: 2024

Summary: The Plantabox system is an innovative, removable garden system which provides a simple and efficient NBS option with a significant portion of many urban centres and building roofs being suitable for retrofitting. Current urban infrastructure is significantly underutilised with many urban area lacking even the most basic public green space amenities. As such, there is opportunity for substantial benefits to be had for densely populated urban centres through the addition of bespoke and removable garden systems. In the proposed study, we will explore the thermal regulation potential of the Plantabox system. We aim to demonstrate the thermal buffer potential of urban green infrastructure in the Western Sydney districts to reduce the thermal load on urban street canyons and surrounding buildings to control the proximal microclimate. Plant species and maturity, planting spacing and mulch selection had the most effect on the results and indicated the need to investigate this further both for roof tops and overall modelling. The canyon modelling needs further work to determine the Plantabox coverage needed to lower UHI to a degree that has a meaningful impact on public health. These changes and further research will provide Plantabox with the confidence to invest in mass-production manufacturing processes post the Proof of Concept round. It will also provide our potential clients with the scientific data to invest in purchasing the Plantabox system, and management to have confidence that their invest met will have genuine effects on their residents.