NESSI | Kim Kuhl › Studiengang Design

NESSI – SAVING URBAN GREENS

Can’t we give our trees a hand?
NESSI contributes to the saving of urban greens tackling the draught of city trees with an irrigation system on pavements that makes use of the existing infrastructure of hydrants.

FACT:
• There is an enormous public demand for cities to have a high-quality and sufficiently dimensioned green infrastructure as greens counteract the urban heat-island effect and provide fresh air particularly to dense areas.
• In Berlin, 430 000 city trees are located. Over the last two years, 7000 of these trees have died as a consequence of drought.
• Too small tree grates are a significant reason for city tree drought. The down seeping water flows through the surface to the roots. In Berlin, tree grates typically only measure 1.50 by 1.50m. Forest trees, by comparison, have the area of their crowns irrigated when raining– this is around 10 times greater.
• Under these circumstances, city trees, on pavements especially, are only able to store minimal water and can’t photosynthesise properly. The additional burden of climate change, like more frequent heat waves, leads to decreased biomass and leaves and subsequently to the death of the trees…
• At the same time, there is a functioning water cycle system under Berlin’s pavements. Underground hydrants provide access to the supply lines and are located next to the trees. To stay fit, the city’s water cycle system and hydrants should be used regularly.

ACT:
Can’t we give our trees a hand?
• NESSI hacks the existing system of pavement hydrants that have direct access to the water supply lines.

• To share the water, NESSI docks to a hydrant and winds its way through Berlin’s streets from bottom to top.
• From the hydrant, water is directed automatically to the trees through NESSI’s pipeline that lies under the pavement and pops up by the trees.
• NESSI marks the trees that are part of the network with colourful steel tube objects that offer various usage possibilities for us residents.
• Regardless of accidental or purposeful damage, once installed, the objects can easily be mounted and changed.

IMPACT:
• Thanks to NESSI, hydrants are well maintained, and continue to provide easy access for firefighters when needed.
• NESSI contributes to the saving of urban greens tackling the draught of city trees with a simple irrigation system on pavements that makes use of the existing infrastructure of hydrants.
• Watering city trees with small water reservoirs optimized, regularly and self sufficiently, NESSI keeps them healthy. Especially in phases of growth, NESSI can be a support for urban greens.
• Additional impact: Making use of the existing infrastructure of hydrants, NESSI keeps hydrants always well flushed and therefor in good condition.

Kim Kuhl, MA Anp.Studium, WS 2020/21

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