Living Wall Systems As Educational, Cultural and Climate-Adaptation Devices: A Case Study

Climate change increasingly affects liveability and thermal comfort in dense urban areas, requiring cities to adopt adaptive and user-centered strategies. In this context, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) represent efficient tools in urban regeneration and social cohesion. Turin is advancing this approach through its Climate Resilience Plan and Green Infrastructure Strategic Plan, promoting initiatives such as rooftop gardens on the Lidl supermarket in Via Bologna and the NBS Living Labs implemented within the EU project Pro-GIreg. This contribution examines the Living Wall System (LWS) installed in 2025 in the courtyard of the Pertini School in Turin. Initially designed as a temporary installation for the ATP Finals, the system was repurposed as a permanent green infrastructure. The study investigates how the LWS evolved from a simple regeneration measure into an educational and cultural device that makes climate adaptation principles tangible, fostering environmental awareness and inclusive participation. The methodology combines a qualitative assessment of spatial, cultural and pedagogical dimensions with a quantitative framework based on consolidated scientific data on LWS performance. Literature-based indicators provide a benchmark for understanding the system’s potential for urban heat island mitigation and air quality improvement, while field-based qualitative analysis highlights the architectural and pedagogical value of the installation, which enables students to directly observe system functioning and translate environmental benefits into accessible learning experiences. Results confirm the capacity of LWS to integrate environmental, social and educational benefits within school contexts. However, high installation and maintenance costs remain a barrier, underscoring the need for more scalable, affordable and circular solutions.