Design for Biodiversity

Chapter FiveDesigning biodiversity into built developments

“Biodiversity is a key indicator of success in achieving sustainable development.”

Brundtland Commission, 1987

The conservation of biodiversity in built developments is often characterised as the provision of nest and roosting boxes on buildings. However, such features are likely to be of little or no value if the surrounding landscape does not provide appropriate vegetation for foraging, cover and movement. Many new developments tend to be dominated by hard paving, with isolated patches of non-native planting that have little value to wildlife. These developments are of limited value ...