THE POTENTIAL OF USING MOSS WALLS AS A NATURE-BASED SOLUTION FOR IMPROVING AIR QUALITY IN URBAN BUILDINGS: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE STUDY

Afnan Umar, Ade Jovan Tri Setiawan, Achmad Diaz Raihansyah, Parmo Parmo

Abstract


The rapid increase in urbanization has exacerbated air pollution and intensified the urban heat island effect, posing serious health risks. Nature-based green infrastructure, particularly moss walls, offers potential as an innovative solution for air pollution mitigation and improvement of the built environment. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive literature review on the mechanism of pollutant absorption by moss, compare its efficiency with vascular plants, and examine its impact on air quality, microclimate, and building comfort. The results of the study show that moss has a high capacity to absorb heavy metals, particulate matter (PM), and pollutant gases, with higher efficiency than vascular plants in certain contexts. In addition, moss walls have been shown to contribute to humidity control, noise reduction, and mitigation of the urban heat island effect. However, their implementation still faces technical challenges, including species selection, substrate and irrigation requirements, and limitations on viability in indoor environments. This study highlights research gaps, particularly regarding long-term monitoring methodologies in tropical climates, integration with building systems, and economic analysis and public acceptance. Thus, moss walls have great potential as an effective and sustainable air pollution mitigation strategy, while also providing important implications for ecological architecture and sustainable urban design.


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/jaz.v9i1.93230

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