In Basel, Switzerland, green roofs have become a remarkable environmental asset thanks to proactive policies initiated in the 1990s. Local biologist Susanne Hablutzel admires the biodiversity thriving atop city structures, where native plants and wildlife have transformed unused rooftops into lush habitats. Unlike other cities that treat green roofs as mere aesthetics, Basel emphasizes ecological benefits, employing native species for greater biodiversity. This initiative not only provides urban greenspaces but has successfully reintroduced bird and fungal populations, positioning Basel as a leader in sustainable urban planning with an average of five square meters of greenery per person by 2019.
"I love mushrooms. You can also see birds now that wasn't the case before."
"The green roofs in Basel were like industrial wastelands, which have really good wild flowers."
"Basel has insisted on using native seeds and plants and not treated green roofs as a box-ticking exercise."
"Now, you show that to most people and they go: I don't want that on my roof, but that's what delivers for biodiversity."
Collection
[
|
...
]