Repurposing Roof Space for Wildlife

Whilst taking a trip on the big wheel in Broadmead last year I was struck by the vast expanse of flat roof space across the city centre.  I propose the idea of creating roof top gardens and wildlife habitats across the city.  The areas would not be open to the public and be purely designed to support and attract wildlife in the city. 

Why the contribution is important

This idea is important because we need to find ways of protecting and increasing the diversity of wildlife in our city.

by user429810 on November 26, 2013 at 01:01PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.0
Based on: 17 votes

Comments

  • Posted by user252241 November 26, 2013 at 14:59

    I think we should also use some space for solar panels. There's an up front cost but in the long term it will save and also create money.

  • Posted by user515911 November 26, 2013 at 22:48

    I understand that rooftop beehives are working well in London.

  • Posted by user734334 November 27, 2013 at 10:56

    I agree but think we should also have access to it. Someone else suggested rooftop cafés etc. let's combine cafés, gardens, solar panels and beehives and create a great 'second level' of green space and energy producing area in bristol.

  • Posted by user923102 November 27, 2013 at 11:29

    Green rooves are a great idea for increasing biodiversity but also I believe would help with flood resilience - the plants etc soaking up rainfall reducing pressure on the drainage system.

    Why stop with rooves I 've seen the sides of buildings in London turned into living green walls. This would also surely act as an insulator keeping the building cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter - thereby reducing the energy consumption of buildings & reducing the cities carbon footprint.

    As to how to encourage it to happen - could this be included in planning requirements? If research showed these were healthier buildings for staff with reduced energy consumption could companies be encouraged to fund this themselves?

  • Posted by user441284 November 27, 2013 at 23:46

    Great idea, if only all built-up regions would hide themselves in green from above!
    Nature has given us the perfect fighter, trees love CO2 and we love the byproduct oxygen and trees!
    Win win!
    I have some saplings needing homes if the idea catches.....!

  • Posted by user412750 December 20, 2013 at 18:06

    The idea deserves to catch on. So many benefits to wildlife and to people.

    I also like the idea of combining some (not all) roofspace with other functions such as cafes. Educating children too about what can be done to support wildlife, and the joys of sharing our planet with other species.

    With so much pressure on our green belt and countryside, using unused places like this is a really, really good idea. And if it helps bring in more wildlife to the city, that's fantastic.

    Thinking about how it would work.... perhaps the owners / tenants of the buildings (if businesses) could start up employee schemes, so that employees could manage the wildlife
    areas on their roofs? It could be something they could do in their lunch hours. Wildlife and growing fruit and veg are very compatible if done organically, so perhaps staff might really like the idea of being able to cultivate foot and support wildlife in the working day.

    So perhaps the Council would just need to give the idea its backing?
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