UrbI – UrbanInsects: Facade-integrated habitatsystems for insects

The loss of biodiversity concerning insects demands immediate and effective action because of the indispensable social and economic functions as well as ecosystem services. Although artifical habitat systems cannot compensate the loss of natural habitats, they are a usefull measure for maintaining biodiversity as well as expanding ecosystems. The negative image of insects in the German population is a great challenge for dealing with the loss of biodiversity concerning insects. Although perception and evaluation of nature and nature conservation is positive in general, insects often elicit feelings of danger or disgust. Knowledge is mainly limited to the insect group of bees. Additionally, insects living on facades are perceived as pest infesation. All in all, insects don’t enjoy a lot of sympathy or acceptance. The research project UrbanInsects deals with this situation by the innovative integration of nature conservation, social aspects and technologies.

UrbanInsects deals with the analyses, development and testing of facade-integrated habitat systems to increase biodiversity. We consider building physics, building culture and social aspects in order to combine the highest degree of functional safety and social acceptance. The focus is on creating habitats for insects on existing and new buildings in the public and private sectors. The habitat impact potential of these structures is to be scientifically developed, technologically expanded and practically tested. The aim is to identify and overcome risks and obstacles for the design of the built environment to increase biodiversity. Several risks and obstacles regarding the design of the built environment have to be identified and overcome in the course of the project. For example, the facade-integrated habitat systems for insects have to be compatible with the function and appearance of the buildings, the convenience of the inhabitants and the attitudes of the inhabitants concerning insects.

We plan the following measures in UrbanInsects:

• Development of communication formats for improving awareness as well positive attitudes concerning insects,
• Development, construction, test and optimization of two facade-integrated habitat systems for insects,
• Integration of tested facade-integrated habitat systems for insects in buildings,
• Documentation and guidelines for the integration of facade-integrated habitat systems for insects in urban areas,
• Reproducible monitoring concept as well as recommendation for nature-orientated design of outdoor areas,
• Knowledge transfer to the general population as well as to the building industry.

The Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics is investigating both the building physics and the ecological target values. The focus is on excluding damage and ensuring energy efficiency of the building envelope as well as comfortable conditions for humans and fauna.

For this purpose, facade-integrated habitat systems for insects are being developed, tested in the form of functionally expandable structural systems and monitored in a structural context. A comprehensive measurement concept for the implementation examples ensures continuous and intensive monitoring. The exchange with various stakeholders is maintained on an ongoing basis in order to transfer the implementation knowledge gained into practice.

The tasks of the IABP also include overall project management with the areas of communication, public relations, external networking and coordination of available resources.

The expected results encompass:

• Science-based examples of facade-integrated habitat systems for insects,
• Interactive website including know-how,
• Tools for transfer into practical application,
• Guidelines, presentations and publications.

The project description on this website expresses the opinion of the donee in the Bundesprogramm Biologische Vielfalt and does not have to be identical with the opinion of the funding organization.