Palleroni's River

Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei, has long been notorious for poor air quality among other environmental issues. Like many other cities with air quality problems, the densely urban city of Taipei sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, which trap pollutants. Taipei is striving to become a more sustainable and healthy community through many new city projects. Recently architect Sergio Palleroni and Taipei professor Jen-Hui Tsai collaborated with Taipei City Government and Planning Department in designing a new bioswale and student center. In attempt to educate the entire city of sustainability, National Taipei University of Technology tore down a wall that separated it from an 8-lane road. A 1,000 foot natural gutter now stands in place of the wall and catches runoff from the green roofs of adjacent buildings.