At the 18th International Facility Management Congress (IFM) on 13–14 November 2025, DI Anna Katharina Briefer presented her research on High-Performance Climbing Plants (HPCP) as part of a sustainable approach to vertical greening in urban environments. Her lecture demonstrated how climbing plants can significantly reduce solar gains on glass façades, improve thermal comfort, and enhance urban microclimates, while underlining the importance of structured care and maintenance strategies for long-term performance.

Building on the GLASGrün project, the study integrates empirical monitoring data from two demonstration sites in Vienna and Tyrol, translating these results into practical guidance for planners, facility managers, and urban designers. Key insights include the use of phase-based maintenance regimes, plant-specific pruning and training, and modular system design to achieve rapid façade coverage and sustained ecosystem services.

The full paper, titled “High-Performance Climbing Plants for Urban Climate Improvement: Maintenance Strategies for Vertical Greening Systems”, has been published on 2 March 2026 in the Journal für Facility Management (Issue 27, 2025, pp. 66–83). This work provides a practical roadmap for implementing vertical greenery on urban buildings, bridging evidence-based research with real-world facility management practices.

How to cite: Briefer, AK., Poiss, M., and Stangl, R.: High-Performance Climbing Plants for Urban Climate Improvement: Maintenance Strategies for Vertical Greening Systems, JOURNAL FÜR FACILITY MANAGEMENT – WISSENSCHAFT TRIFFT PRAXIS; Issue 27/2025. ISSN 2520-5404

I Anna Katharina Briefer combines her background in landscape architecture, practical experience in project implementation, and current doctoral research at the BOKU University Vienna with a research stay at the University of Sydney, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, to further explore globally applicable strategies for climate-responsive building greening.

Contact: anna.briefer(at)boku.ac.at