Research project

Natuur-inbouw: more building facilities for building-dependent fauna

Urban areas play an increasingly important role in supporting biodiversity. Green-blue areas through the urban environment can reconnect fragmented habitats. Cities can also provide food and nesting sites. Some 200 European protected species are linked to urban areas, including some for whom urban areas are vital
In light of mitigation and adaptation to climate change, buildings and houses in this built environment are being renovated and new buildings are being well insulated and airtight. This is obviously necessary to combat further climate change. But in doing so, we are also unwittingly causing the loss of habitats, resting and roosting places of building-dependent species such as bats, sparrows, swifts and swallows, pollinating insects.... Thus, renovations to millions of older houses will impact species that need features (such as cavity walls and joints) of older houses to survive. New buildings often offer too few alternatives for them.

Duration

September 2023 - August 2026

Partners

Innovative Structural Design

Built Environment

Project Manager

S.P.G. (Faas) Moonen

Natuur-inbouw

NATUUR-INBOUW focuses on promoting fauna in the built environment by optimising essential functions (such as places for resting, overwintering or raising young) of building-dependent species, thereby promoting biodiversity. This requires greater understanding, better solutions and effective policy measures from all stakeholders, including governments.
Through concrete example projects (demo projects), fauna devices and other built-in methods and techniques are applied and new possibilities are tested. The will be implemented in both existing houses (renovations) and new construction projects. New building details and construction methods (circular construction) are being developed for both target groups. Crucial here is the cooperation of the nature sector with the construction sector and regional, provincial and municipal policymakers.
The central question is what technological solutions combined with policy measures are needed/wanted to both increase biodiversity in the built environment and reduce the energy consumption of homes. And how this can be integrated urban planning, area development and when restructuring residential areas.

To achieve this, a broad coalition has been brought together. This includes urban biodiversity experts and urban planning experts, including policymakers, spatial planners, researchers, site managers and green space managers. Through cooperation with provinces, cities and municipalities, links are established with local government, with property developers, housing associations, with architects and consultants, and with construction companies.