Beyond Human

Abstract

In Berlin, NABU, in collaboration with the municipal administration, implemented the project “Artenschutz am Gebäude” (Species Protection on Buildings). This project aims to raise awareness among property owners, architects, builders, and other stakeholders about the importance of protecting species during construction and renovation activities. The initiative includes information campaigns, workshops, and training sessions to promote construction practices that respect and integrate urban wildlife. In this context, we were invited to collaborate on the project and develop specific construction details to create habitats for species selected by NABU in various standard building types, such as Plattenbau, Einfamilienhäuser, and Flachdach Neubau. Through these illustrations, we studied urban biodiversity and the impact of renovation on these animals, creating a catalogue of constructive solutions that can be applied to various parts of buildings, as shown in Image 1. The following images present the corresponding construction details and their characteristics, such as the minimum nest sizes required by each species, access dimensions, and the minimum spacing between nesting spaces. These illustrations have been used by the organization to inform urban stakeholders about how to protect and integrate wildlife, initiating a vision of harmonious coexistence between humans and animals in cities—while also promoting good construction practices that comply with current regulations. Integrating species protection at the early stages of the construction process offers multiple benefits, such as: Cost efficiency—implementing protection measures from the start avoids additional costs from later adaptations; Time efficiency–proactively integrating these measures helps prevent delays in the project timeline. This is especially relevant in the context of Berlin, where an exhaustive environmental approval process and municipal species protection permits are required before construction can begin. The species selection was based on criteria such as the conservation status of threatened or declining species, as well as studies on urban habitats—particularly those species that use buildings for nesting or shelter. Only species with sufficient data for quantitative analysis were considered. Through field observations and monitoring of these species across different building types—as well as interviews with residents and local experts—existing records of their presence and abundance were reviewed, and this data informed the development of the design drawings: Abundance and Distribution – population surveys to determine the density and distribution of species in urban buildings. Occupancy Rate – percentage of buildings occupied by each species, identifying preferences for specific building types. Reproductive Success – hatching and fledgling survival rates, assessing the suitability of buildings as nesting sites. The implementation of nest boxes on building façades led to a significant increase in the occupancy rate by common swifts (Apus apus). Studies carried out over five years showed a growth in urban bat populations following the installation of species-specific shelters. The adoption of protective measures, such as safety nets and structural adjustments, reduced incidents of bird-window collisions. However, some challenges and limitations were identified. Microclimatic differences between buildings can influence species selection and success. In addition, the presence of residents and commercial activities may affect the acceptance and effectiveness of protection measures. Therefore, regular monitoring is necessary to assess the long-term effectiveness of the measures and to adjust strategies as needed. Monitoring for this project is still ongoing.