Acoustic efficiency of green facades: evaluation of the impact of Parthenocsissus quinquefolia on noise pollution reduction

Authors

  • Kostiantyn Shumbar Postgraduate student of the Department of Environmental Protection Technologies and Labour Safety, Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0201-2142
  • Tetiana Tkachenko Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Environmental Protection Technologies and Labour Safety, Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2105-5951

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32347/2411-4049.2025.3.153-162

Keywords:

green facades, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, noise protection, acoustic efficiency, vertical greening, urban environment, sustainable development, ecological architecture

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the acoustic efficiency of a green facade formed with Parthenocissus quinquefolia as a natural noise-absorbing barrier in an urban environment. The relevance of the work is due to the growing level of noise pollution, which is one of the leading environmental risk factors in cities. The potential of vertical gardening as an element of sustainable architectural design that combines aesthetic appeal with environmental and functional benefits is investigated. The aim of the study was to quantify the ability of a green facade formed by Parthenocissus quinquefolia to reduce sound pressure levels in the external and internal environment of a residential building. The experimental part was carried out by means of full-scale modelling of a facade fragment in two seasonal states - with and without the existing leaf cover. Acoustic measurements were performed in accordance with the requirements of DSTU B V.2.6-86:2009 under controlled conditions. Additionally, numerical modelling of wave propagation was applied, taking into account changes in the effective density and elastic properties of the medium. The results of the study show that the leaves of Parthenocissus quinquefolia reduce the sound pressure level by up to 20 dB in the mid-frequency range. Even in the absence of leaf cover, a pronounced noise-protective effect is maintained, which confirms the feasibility of using this plant for vertical gardening in the context of reducing noise load. The obtained results deepen the understanding of the acoustic properties of green facades and emphasise the feasibility of their use in the environmentally oriented design of urban spaces.

References

Park, K.; Lee, J. (2024). Mitigating Air and Noise Pollution through Highway Capping: The Bundang-Suseo Highway Cap Project Case Study. Environmental Pollution, 346, 123620, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123620.

Arsalan, M.; Chamani, A.; Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi, R. (2024). Sustaining Tranquility in Small Urban Green Parks: A Modeling Approach to Identify Noise Pollution Contributors. Sustainable Cities and Society, 113, 105655, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2024.105655.

Schwela, D.H. (2000). The World Health Organization Guidelines for Environmental Noise. Noise news int., 8, 9–22, doi: https://doi.org/10.3397/1.3703044.

Ngcobo, N.; Akinradewo, O.; Mokoena, P. (2024). Evaluating the Measures to Promote Sustainable Transport Infrastructure: A Case of City of Johannesburg, South Africa. Journal of Engineering, 2024, 6372226, doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/je/6372226.

Cosola, V.O.-D.; Navacerrada, M.Á.; Ruiz-García, L.; Olivieri, F. (2024). Evaluating the Acoustic Absorption of Modular Green Walls: Laboratory and Field Assessments Using An Impedance Gun.

Oquendo-Di Cosola, V.; Olivieri, F.; Ruiz-García, L. (2022). A Systematic Review of the Impact of Green Walls on Urban Comfort: Temperature Reduction and Noise Attenuation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 162, 112463, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112463.

Shushunova, N.; Korol, E.; Luzay, E.; Shafieva, D.; Bevilacqua, P. (2022). Ensuring the Safety of Buildings by Reducing the Noise Impact through the Use of Green Wall Systems. Energies, 15, 8097, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15218097.

Connelly, M.; Hodgson, M. (2013). Experimental Investigation of the Sound Transmission of Vegetated Roofs. Applied Acoustics, 74, 1136–1143, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2013.04.003.

Van Renterghem, T.; Botteldooren, D.; Verheyen, K. (2012). Road Traffic Noise Shielding by Vegetation Belts of Limited Depth. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 331, 2404–2425, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2012.01.006.

Pérez, G.; Coma, J.; Barreneche, C.; De Gracia, A.; Urrestarazu, M.; Burés, S.; Cabeza, L.F. (2016). Acoustic Insulation Capacity of Vertical Greenery Systems for Buildings. Applied Acoustics, 110, 218–226, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2016.03.040.

Scamoni, F.; Scrosati, C.; Depalma, M.; Barozzi, B. (2022). Experimental Evaluations of Acoustic Properties and Long-Term Analysis of a Novel Indoor Living Wall. Journal of Building Engineering, 47, 103890, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103890.

Davis, M.J.M.; Tenpierik, M.J.; Ramírez, F.R.; Pérez, M.E. (2017). More than Just a Green Facade: The Sound Absorption Properties of a Vertical Garden with and without Plants. Building and Environment, 116, 64–72, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.01.010.

Lafortezza, R.; Sanesi, G. (2019). Nature-Based Solutions: Settling the Issue of Sustainable Urbanization. Environmental Research, 172, 394–398, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.12.063.

Azkorra, Z.; Pérez, G.; Coma, J.; Cabeza, L.F.; Bures, S.; Álvaro, J.E.; Erkoreka, A.; Urrestarazu, M. (2015). Evaluation of Green Walls as a Passive Acoustic Insulation System for Buildings. Applied Acoustics, 89, 46–56, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2014.09.010.

Attal, E.; Côté, N.; Shimizu, T.; Dubus, B. (2019). Sound Absorption by Green Walls at Normal Incidence: Physical Analysis and Optimization. Acta Acustica united with Acustica, 105, 301–312, doi: https://doi.org/10.3813/AAA.919313.

Bakker, J.; Lugten, M.; Tenpierik, M. (2023). Applying Vertical Greening Systems to Reduce Traffic Noise in Outdoor Environments: Overview of Key Design Parameters and Research Methods. Building Acoustics, 30, 315–338, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1351010X231171028.

Ottelé, M. The Green Building Envelope: Vertical Greening; TU Delft: Delft, 2011; ISBN 978-90-90-26217-8.

DSTU B V.2.6-86:2009 “Constructions of buildings and structures. Sound insulation of enclosing structures. Measurement methods”. Kyiv: Ministry of Regional Development of Ukraine, 2010. [ДСТУ Б В.2.6-86:2009 «Конструкції будинків і споруд. Звукоізоляція огороджувальних конструкцій. Методи вимірювання». Київ: Мінрегіонбуд України, 2010].

Chern, C.J.; Beutler, E. (1976). Biochemical and Electrophoretic Studies of Erythrocyte Pyridoxine Kinase in White and Black Americans. Am J Hum Genet, 28, 9–17.

Published

2025-09-30

How to Cite

Shumbar, K., & Tkachenko, T. (2025). Acoustic efficiency of green facades: evaluation of the impact of Parthenocsissus quinquefolia on noise pollution reduction. Environmental Safety and Natural Resources, 55(3), 153–162. https://doi.org/10.32347/2411-4049.2025.3.153-162

Issue

Section

Environmental safety and natural resources