Noise Pollution; Green Solution Sheida Naderi-Azad Prince of Wales Floor Location: M107V

The purpose of this project was initially to determine if plants reduce traffic noise. When proved true, the next step was to figure out ways to enhance the plants’ efficiency as noise barriers. This for example includes improving their:
1. Level of noise reduction
2. Maintenance cost, and
3. Time consumption.

Experiments were conducted in order to measure the amount of sound reduction for different plants. Though a number of cases were put as independent variables (such as the plant size, type, weather, and locations), one of these was independent in each experiment at the moment, and the rest were controlled. In general, the results of the experiments were not truly successful and thus new ideas are proposed through research, in order to fulfill the purpose of the project and enhance the green noise reduction. Vertical gardens, also known as Green Walls, are of the best possible solutions brought to mind. These walls have great benefits, both as noise barriers as well as other aspects. Few of the countless benefits of these walls are:

- Have the ability to have different plant types layered on each other + the additional layer of soil underneath (which help reduce sound more)
- Offer a variety of shapes, forms, and scales, and are very affordable.
- Considerably more time-efficient compared to hedges that take years to earn a reasonable height as noise barriers
- Are put into panels that are constructed on top of each other, which makes the structure light-weighted and transferrable
- Low maintenance efforts/cost
- Can be used as architectural characteristics, as they add beauty and attraction to buildings

All these points bring about the main conclusion of this project; the suggestion of Green walls for green noise reduction. Green walls are furthermore great alternatives to concrete walls as put aside all other benefits, they are sustainable.