SEO/BirdLife calls for urban biodiversity protection during building renovations

In observance of World Cities Day, the organization SEO/BirdLife is advocating for the integration of urban biodiversity into building rehabilitation projects. The group emphasizes the need to connect green spaces with native vegetation, shelters, and food sources to support local fauna.

Many bird species, including swifts, martins, swallows, and sparrows, utilize building facades, eaves, and small cavities for nesting. These habitats are often lost during urban regeneration. SEO/BirdLife recommends identifying nesting sites before construction begins and prioritizing their conservation.

The organization proposes that urban renewal should combine energy-efficient housing with diverse, connected green infrastructure. This includes preserving mature trees, recovering degraded plots, and promoting hedges and flowering meadows. A successful model was noted in Cantabria, where artificial nests for common swifts and house martins were integrated into building renovations to support reproduction.