I saw this, I agree, Rob, it seems a doubtful way to store water or to buffer against storms.. It could be wildlife habitat, rats love this kind of stuff.

But I think the best thing is reduction in the  human population. Lester Brown of the Worldwatch Institute thinks human population crash is inevitable, from zoonotic diseases or drought – he points out that water is already being imported in vast quantities to China and the Middle East in the form of grain.

Cheerful thought for the day!

When are they going to propose giant sponges everywhere?

sorry, I’m a big picture kind of gal..

: )

Agreed about the building. And old masonry core building supporting an extra 27 tons (24 metric tonnes) of weight on one wall, which looks to have been a shared wall at one point, doesn’t seem all that safe. One major question of these systems is long term mold ramifications. Having been dealing with a mold problem myself, the lack of air circulation behind the system on a masonry wall, along with the added dense shade and adjacent humidity from the plants and water seem like a recipe for a problem. I could see if this were a modern building with a rain screen system, and it does look as if they put some sort of membrane on the wall, but if it isn’t a proper vapor barrier, you will have moisture behind it, so you will have mold.

The same may be said about the green wall. I’d go with hokey. …. nothing against green walls, just the incredible amount of unrealistic earth saving attributes that go with their promoters.

You would not want to consume anything grown on a roof or wall in a city. Who knows what is shoved into the fruits from what the plant pulls out of the air?

Sometimes it is hard to tell with the typing and all. I personally know people who pretty much think exactly the way you had typed. Plus a good portion of the State of Colorado.