Case Study

Calle 30 Natura: vertical gardens and air quality sensors combat pollution in the M-30 in Madrid

Ayuntamiento de Madrid

Sector: Urban

Need

Madrid City Council sought to improve air quality and adapt to climate change in the city. To do so, they launched the innovative “Calle 30 Natura” project, consisting of the installation of highly durable vertical gardens with the capacity to absorb pollutants along 400 metres of the M-30 road. This section is one of the busiest in Spain, with 1.1 million vehicles travelling on it every day, which makes it a critical point for road traffic emissions and noise pollution.

With Calle 30 Natura, works were carried out on 3,250 m² of the M-30, transforming concrete walls into vertical gardens with 23 resistant and pollutant-absorbing plant species. In addition to beautifying the city, the project aimed to reduce traffic emissions and noise pollution, reduce the heat island and eliminate graffiti.

A pioneering project that combines vertical gardens and pollution sensors to improve air quality and reduce emissions in Madrid.

Solution

The solution deployed in the “Calle 30 Natura” project is an innovative combination of vertical gardens with advanced air quality sensor technology for environmental pollution monitoring. The plant walls, composed of highly durable species with a high capacity to absorb pollutants, are complemented by Kunak AIR Pro pollution sensors, strategically placed in the vertical gardens. These sensors allow continuous and accurate measurement of key air pollutant levels such as CO, CO₂, NO, NO₂ and PM.

The sensor technology provides valuable information on the pollutant uptake of the gardens and its evolution over time. In addition, the data obtained is compared with general pollution measurements to assess the positive impact of the project on air quality. This unique combination of nature and technology highlights Madrid City Council’s commitment to sustainability and improving the urban environment.

Results

Thanks to the installation of vertical gardens and the continuous monitoring of pollution with Kunak AIR Pro sensors, the “Calle 30 Natura” project achieves a significant improvement in the air quality of the urban environment. The gardens act as green lungs, absorbing pollutants and reducing emissions from road traffic, which helps to dampen the heat island and eliminate graffiti.

Sensor technology provides accurate data on pollutant levels, enabling more effective and rapid management if problems are detected. These combined efforts result in a healthier and more sustainable environment, protecting the health of citizens and moving towards a more environmentally friendly Madrid.

Project details

Customer: Ayuntamiento de Madrid

User: Lantania

Location: Madrid, Spain

Sector: Urban

Year: 2023

Parameters:

NO (nitric oxide), NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide); O₃ (ozone); CO (carbon monoxide) and CO₂ (carbon dioxide).
PM₁₀, PM₄, PM_2.5 and PM₁ Particles.
Temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure.
Wind speed and direction.

Solutions

AIR ProProfessional air quality monitoring station
AIR Pro
The most accurate air quality monitoring station

SENSOR-BASED | BEST AVAILABLE ACCURACY

Benefits
- Multi-pollutant
- Smart cartridge system
- Fully autonomous
- Real-time data
- Proven accuracy
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AIR CloudAir quality software
AIR Cloud
Multipurpose air quality software for professionals

REAL-TIME DATA | ALWAYS UPDATED

Benefits
- Secure and condifential
- Air quality reporting
- Advanced data analysis and visualisation
- Reliable data guaranteed
- Data sharing and integration
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Nitric oxideReliable real-time data on NO
Nitric oxide
Reliable information about nitric oxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Electrochemical
- R² >0.9
- Range: 0-5,000 ppb
- Resolution: 1 ppb
- 24 months of operating life
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Nitrogen dioxideReliable real-time data on NO₂
Nitrogen dioxide
Reliable information about nitrogen dioxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Electrochemical
- R² >0.85
- Range: 0-12,000 ppb (Type A) | 0-500 ppm (Type B)
- Resolution: 1 ppb (Type A) | 0.01 ppm (Type B)
- 24 months of operating life
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OzoneReliable real-time data on O₃
Ozone
Reliable information about ozone

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Electrochemical
- R² >0.9
- Range: 0-2,000 ppb
- Resolution: 1 ppb
- 24 months of operating life
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Carbon monoxideReliable real-time data on CO
Carbon monoxide
Reliable information about carbon monoxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Electrochemical
- R² >0.85
- Range: 0-12,000 ppb (Type A) | 0-500 ppm (Type B)
- Resolution: 1 ppb (Type A) | 0.01 ppm (Type B)
- 24 months of operating life
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Carbon dioxideReliable real-time data on CO₂
Carbon dioxide
Reliable information about carbon dioxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- NDIR
- Typical accuracy (MAE): ±30 ppm
- Range: 0-5,000 ppm
- Resolution: 1 ppm
- > 7 years of operating life
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Particulate MatterReliable real-time data on suspended particles
Particulate Matter
Reliable information about particulate matter

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Optical particle counter
- Up to R² >0.9
- Range: 0-1,000 | 0-2,000 | 0-10,000 ppb
- Resolution: 1 μg/m³
- 24 months of operating life
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