In Focus: Interview “Bird Conservation in Urban Areas” (Part 1)
The topic of green roofs and biodiversity conservation in inner cities has gained increasing importance in recent years and is becoming a key component of sustainable urban planning. As an architectural practice, we regularly engage with this subject, for example through our work on the Stücki Park project on Hochbergstrasse. This provides good reason to take a closer look. In line with our credo “sharing experience”, we aim to gain deeper insights into why urban greening and bird conservation are so important and what role Basel plays in this context. We spoke with two experts on the subject. We begin with Dr. phil. nat. Jean-Pierre Biber from the Advisory Office for Bird Issues, Department for Nature and Landscape Conservation of the Canton of Basel-Stadt.
Anna Stärk
29. January 2026
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We all know that biodiversity is important in cities because it enhances the quality of our urban living environment. Could you explain in more detail why species conservation, and bird conservation in particular, is so important in urban areas? Birds contribute significantly to a city’s biological diversity and act as indicators of whether an urban ecosystem is healthy. Natural pest control, for example, functions effectively because birds feed on pests. In particular, building-nesting species should be supported. Outside cities, these birds usually breed on cliffs, such as swifts, alpine swifts and swallows. Buildings can serve as substitutes for rock faces. Other birds that nest in niches can also be supported, depending on the situation.
How does green roofing specifically contribute to the protection of bird species in urban environments? What needs to be done, and how? Birds require shrubs or trees for nesting, so green roofs do not directly provide nesting sites. Nevertheless, greened areas offer valuable food sources in the form of plant seeds and insects. Nesting sites are usually located in the lower sections of buildings or in shrubs and trees.
Cities are characterised by a high level of artificial light and noise, both of which disrupt the natural behaviour of birds. What other challenges does species conservation face in a densely populated city like Basel? There are several challenges, foremost among them the provision of breeding sites. Birds and bats, for example, depend on niches and cavities. Glass façades are also problematic, as they are difficult for birds to perceive, leading to collisions.
What can architectural practices do, beyond proactive awareness-raising, to bring species conservation more strongly into focus? In my view, there are two key aspects that architectural practices should consider from the very beginning of the planning process. First, protective measures for glazing should be incorporated to minimise collisions. According to studies conducted in the United States, albeit dating back to the 1980s, hundreds of millions of birds were already dying each year as a result of collisions with glass. Second, providing nesting opportunities for building-nesting species plays a crucial role, particularly for swifts and swallows, but also for other birds that breed in niches and cavities.
Are there measurable data or results that demonstrate that species and bird conservation efforts have been successful in recent years? Do you conduct counts or studies and carry out regular monitoring? The major issue is that investigations into the success of bird conservation measures are rarely carried out after buildings have been completed. There are good examples involving the provision of nesting sites for falcons, swifts, swallows and also bats, where success is relatively easy to assess. Targeted studies would certainly be valuable.
Providing water sources in gardens or practising insect-friendly gardening – what else can private homeowners do to promote biodiversity at home? In principle, the same measures already mentioned apply here as well, namely protective measures for glazing and the provision of nesting sites, which should be planned from the outset.
Flat roof or pitched roof – which is better? Pitched roofs are certainly better for the conservation of bird species. Eaves often provide natural niches for birds and allow nest boxes to be installed in sheltered positions. Tiled roofs also generally offer more niches for birds beneath the tiles. That said, flat roofs also have their advantages. They provide areas that, by attracting insects and creating quiet refuges, represent valuable habitats for birds, away from urban traffic noise.
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Anna Stärk
29. January 2026
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A large part of our work today is digital and virtual—we design with CAD, enhance plans with BIM data, and visualize projects in 3D. Still, sometimes the tried and true methods prove their worth. Take model making, for example, which continues to play a significant role in architecture. Surprisingly, this might seem counterintuitive given the indispensable tools like 3D renderings and simulations, making physical model making appear almost outdated. However, as in life, the magic often lies in the mix: combining digital and analog methods unlocks unique potential. Why Analog When Everything Is Digital?
Auf den ersten Blick weckt derBegriff «Corporate Architecture» oft die Vorstellung von uniformen,austauschbaren Gebäuden ohne erkennbaren Bezug zum jeweiligen Standort. Dochals Architekten und Generalplaner, die immer wieder in diesem Bereich tätigsind, wissen wir: Hinter Corporate Architecture stehen komplexe Aufgaben, derenUmsetzung Präzision, Adaption, Kommunikation, logistische Fähigkeiten undweitere anspruchsvolle Kompetenzen erfordert – genau diese Herausforderungenmachen solche Projekte für uns besonders spannend.
The main campus of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area is home to numerous innovative companies in the biotech and healthtech sectors. The University Hospital Basel also maintains a branch here, offering a forward-looking learning environment through the Skills Lab Simulation Centre. We reached out to Prof. Raphael Guzman, Head of Clinic and Chief Physician of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Basel, to learn more about the benefits of the new Skills Lab.
The topic of green roofs and biodiversity conservation in inner cities has gained increasing importance in recent years and is becoming a key component of sustainable urban planning. As an architectural practice, we regularly engage with this subject, for example through our work on the Stücki Park project on Hochbergstrasse. This provides good reason to take a closer look. In line with our credo “sharing experience,” we aim to gain deeper insights into why urban greening and bird conservation are so important and what role Basel plays in this context. We spoke with two experts on the subject. In the second part of the interview, we exchanged views with Dr. phil. Monika Schaub from the Department of Building Applications, Trees, and Plant Protection.
Founded in 2006, the non-profit foundation Architektur Dialoge (AD) aims to raise public awareness about architecture and urban issues while fostering dialogue between the industry and private users. To achieve this, Architektur Dialoge offers a wide range of events on architecture and building culture, inviting the public to learn more through lectures, guided tours, and workshops. One of these offerings is the Making Of series, which provides insights into craftsmanship and architecture. Hosted by Christian W. Blaser, a member of the AD Foundation Board, the series not only highlights completed projects but also tells the stories behind their creation—from the initial idea to their realisation...
Pinterest, digital mood boards, Instagram, ChatGPT and other AI-powered research tools – the number of digital information platforms is vast, and they’ve become an integral part of our daily workflow.
And yet, our analogue architecture library possesses a unique power of its own. As a tactile archive of architectural history and a source of inspiration for future thinking, it remains a constant presence in our studio – sometimes used more, sometimes less, but always accessible.
What actually is... amock-up?Sketches, drawings,floor plans, 3D models - the language used by architectural designers tocommunicate visually is not always easy to understand right away in reality -after all, visualizations often only offer a perspective view and plans, gridsand the like must also be able to be read. And even if digitalization has longsince found its way into the field of construction (planning) and architecture,the implementation of a project and the end result is still a highly analoguematter that involves sensory perception. So what helps to illustrate ideas andpossible projects in the best possible way and to give clients, but also thecontractors, tradespeople and suppliers involved, a comprehensive picture ofwhat the future could look like? Exactly, a mock-up, i.e. a modelrepresentation on a scale of 1:1. The term mock-up has its origins in French(maquette) and means something like preliminary model, sketch or draft.
Press Release. After 20 years at the helm of the Board of Trustees of Architektur Dialoge, Christian W. Blaser has stepped down as President. With the transition to a rotational chairmanship within the board, the foundation is reorganising its structure while continuing its established event series and maintaining a focus on the foundation’s future development.
Workplace Creation at Primeo AG through pioneering building technology with antique building material... Founded over 125 years ago, the Primeo Energie cooperative is headquartered in Münchenstein and reliably supplies over 180,000 households in Switzerland and France with energy. Under the motto ‘We bundle energy’, the infrastructure company focuses on the decarbonisation of the energy supply and offers intelligent, unique solutions in the areas of smart homes, sustainable mobility and energy efficiency. These are aimed at private and business customers as well as energy supply companies, cities and municipalities.
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