The diversity of nature is now also talked about in the planning and construction of the urban environment. But what if the tick bites if there's just plain meadow everywhere? The construction industry is a significant land user whose aim is nature positivity.
Landscape architect Alli Hurmola the entire arc of construction is under the microscope. In his diploma thesis, he maps ways to promote the diversity of the built environment, from planning to construction and the subsequent life cycle of buildings.
In particular, the reasons are the Helsinki Kuninkaantamme downtown plan and the three completed construction projects in the area of the plan.
According to Alli Hurmola, a truly diverse city of the future would be clearly different from our current cities.
"Increasing the diversity of nature would mean that we would preserve the diverse nature that already exists, from the soil to the plants, and add plenty of native vegetation to the cities. In this way, we would ensure both the range of species and the genetic diversity of each species," Hurmola reasons.
A change of attitude is still needed
For a resident walking the streets, diversity work can seem high-flying and even backwards. In our minds, a well-kept lawn means a well-maintained urban space.
"The residents' experience of what is beautiful or well maintained plays a big role. However, the decision-makers want to make good solutions that meet the wishes and needs of the residents", reflects Alli Hurmola.
Many decision-makers also worry about the costs that would be incurred by promoting biodiversity.
In reality, securing a range of species doesn't always have to cost extra. Additional investment can also be recouped during the life cycle of buildings and structures.
With good planning, for example, mowing once a summer can be at least as cost-effective as weekly mowing.
"Professionals need the courage to break away from familiar solutions and bring nature values to the same level as other factors in the comparison. When we start doing and calculating something new, we can find positive surprises."
Beetle versus human?
Criticism about who is being built for is also often brought up in the discussion. Shouldn't we be building for people and not for cockroaches?
The variety of species in the built environment serves human comfort in surprising ways. When, for example, we don't lose the entire street's trees to fungal disease in one fell swoop, the next hot summer will be much more pleasant for the residents and the apartments will stay cooler.
All construction is always a balancing act between different goals. You have to be able to keep costs and schedule under control without compromising on quality or that the end result meets the needs of the users.
When building an urban environment, one should also know how to look at least decades into the future: What will our grandchildren use this space and these buildings for?
"A city resident or apartment buyer can demand diversity thinking from designers and implementers," Hurmola encourages.
Considering biodiversity should not be a separate step in planning, but all planning can be implemented according to what helps various species to survive. Diversity goes along with it, whether we're talking about stormwater management or the reuse of land masses.
Hurmola calls for cooperation: the discussion must take place from the very beginning of the construction project. Companies and public administration are realizing that a variety of species is needed in the built environment. It's not just an expense item, but an essential part of a functional end result. And when building the future, you don't have to be on the side of either the human or the beetle - we're on the same team.
The biodiversity road map of the construction industry shows the direction towards nature positivity
Alli Hurmola's final work is linked to the biodiversity road map of the construction industry compiled by Rakennusteollisuus RT in autumn 2023. Now we are looking for answers to how the vision of the road map becomes reality.
According to the road map, the entire real estate and construction sector needs to be involved in implementing a nature-positive transition. Nature positivity means not only avoiding harm caused to nature, but also supporting and revitalizing nature with construction solutions.
It can mean, for example, rotting trees, wetlands or meadow, keto and heather environments in urban green areas. It can be seen as nature-saving ways to build and keep the built environment in order, as well as new ways to acquire and recycle materials.
The road map specifies practical actions for builders, decision-makers, planners, designers, legislators and financiers.
Residents also have their own role. Are you ready for green areas where systematic care is reduced and nature can take the reins? Does communality, sharing spaces and using public transport suit your party? Nature becomes more diverse when people learn to give it space.
