wise practices from Toronto: The Living Wall sound barrier

We were supposed to discuss such solutions with ODOT for our park neighborhood here in Brooklyn Centre. ODOT seems to be avoiding the issue so they can just do what they always do, and avoid saving public money and saving the environment. This link was provided by our neighbor Ken Wohlgemuth.

The Living Wall is a sound attenuation/privacy screening solution that incorporates ecological principals with engineering practices.

The vegetation used in The Living Wall , willow shrubs native to Canada and the US, has the ability to grow rapidly and thus provides an almost instant landscape.

The construction is carefully planned to ensure the controlled growth of roots and shoots. As the vegetation spreads over its biodegradable wooden framework, it matures into an integrated unit that is able to withstand harsh winters and hot summers; maintaining its aesthetic appeal in all seasons.

The Living Wall naturalizes urban and rural environments while providing superior sound absorption and a substantial privacy structure. It is an organic manufacture that has enormous environmental benefits including: photosynthesis, pollution filtration, and soil stabilization.

The Living Wall is 100% recyclable! It is appropriate for large and small-scale usages such as commercial, parkland, and highway installations, as well as individual residential lots.

The Living Wall Is available in two applications privacy screen fence and sound barrier with soil.

Comments

[M.A.May]

This option was discussed at last years public meeting. I order for the "living wall" to reduce noise as much as the proposed sound barrier they would have to plant trees damn near to my back door.

[Tim Ferris]

That's if you go along with what ODOT has told you. Trees, bushes, and lower, human-scale 6-foot masonry walls laid up by local craftsmen do a lot more than ODOT gives them credit for. They at ODOT offer simple solutions, solutions that are "either/or" instead of "both/and." We deserve far better than what ODOT brings to the table; we need custom, sustainable solutions in line with the rest of our built heritage here in Brooklyn Centre and Tremont.