By Danielle Carpenter – Ambling through the Piccadilly district in London, pedestrians often want to rest their tired feet. What better place to do this than on a bench that pulls pollution from the air, is self-sufficient and plant-based, cools the surrounding air through water evaporation, and reduces noise pollution?

CityTree by Green City Solutions

The CityTree, by Germany-based tech start-up Green City Solutions, quantifiably improves city air using the first bio-tech filter in the world. How?

• “Different types of moss bind environmental toxins such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides while producing oxygen at the same time;
• Integrated internet of things technology delivers comprehensive information on performance and status as well as environmental data on the CityTree’s surroundings;
• Controllable ventilation technology allows airflow to be intensified, meaning that the filter effect can be increased as required;
• Water provision is either connected or independent, thanks to a fully automated irrigation system;
• Energy can be provided independently via solar panels (if necessary with additional fuel cell), or via a grid connection;
• Mosses store large quantities of moisture, and the considerably increased evaporation surface creates an immense cooling effect.”

This and other Green City Solutions have been integrated into urban landscapes in London, Oslo, Hamburg, Berlin, Essen, Hong Kong and other cities worldwide.