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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