Plant-Driven Design and Phytotechnology to improve the built environment

In post-industrial cities the quality of built environment is partially affected by the high concentration of chemical pollutants in outdoor and indoor spaces. An increasing number of people spend about 90% of their daily time in indoor environment that often has a higher concentration of pollutants than outdoors. The presence of many chemical compounds and the absence of natural elements contributes to reduce the healthiness of indoor spaces and to trigger the Syndrome of Sick Building in occupants. Many researches support that natural ecosystems have a positive effect on human health and other studies show the benefits provided by the application of phytotechnology. This paper discusses the opportunities offered by the application of plant-based solutions to improve the healthiness of built environment (especially the indoor air quality) and to re-establishing a relationship between man and rural spaces, with positive implication on psychological well-being. Phytotechnology includes many techniques to remediate polluted sites or to mitigate effects of anthropogenic activities using plant’s metabolism according with technological solutions. In the paradigm shift toward an ecological view, natural ecosystems are considered as a part human society and plants are good indicators of the quality of the environment. This study focuses on the review of ecosystems services provided by plant-based solutions and it also reflects on the inclusion of phytotechnology in design practice for the well-being of people in indoor spaces and more in general in postindustrial cities.