Using thermography to assess vertical greening canopies

Abstract

The anticipated rise in urban environmental thermal load, driven by climate warming and the heat island effect, has intensified heat-related risks for urban buildings, prompting a strong push since the early twenty-first century for green infrastructure solutions. Yet, the spatial limitations of densely built environments have led to the integration of vegetated architectural features, with a notable evolution from horizontal greening to the more recent emphasis on vertical greening strategies. In response to this shift, this paper introduces a thermography-based methodology for inspecting the canopies of vertical installations, enabling sustainable monitoring and maintenance practices. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated through a comprehensive analysis and quantification of canopy attributes in a case study featuring an indoor living wall.