PLANNING FOR POLLINATION - creating cohabitation through social-ecological urbanism
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Architecture and planning beyond sustainability (MPDSD), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Tiderman Häll, Amanda
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
It is estimated that 657 billion US dollars
worth of annual global food production
relies on the contribution of pollinators.
That does not consider other crucial
ecosystem services that pollinators provide,
such as maintaining balanced ecosystems.
Still, the decline of pollinating insects is
showing in alarming numbers around the
world. Industrialization of agriculture, use
of pesticides and fragmentation of habitats
has led to species declining to the brink of
extinction. Many wild bees have adapted
to the urban landscape as an alternative
habitat due to high urban biodiversity and
the loss of their original habitats. The
urbanization of cities and exploitation
of nature is increasing intensively and
rapidly, threatening the biodiversity that
is crucial for species survival. The urban
landscape has a high potential to further
support biodiversity if properly planned
and designed. There is however not many
studies showcasing how this can be done.
This thesis dives into the complex world
of urban ecology and urban habitats.
The focus is on two species of wild bees
(Andrena marginata and Osmia bicornis)
which represent different levels of
sensitivities and can indicate the level of
biodiversity. The report is divided into two
parts; Identifying the needs and challenges
in the current urban landscape for wild
bees to spread and thrive; and based
on that development, a plan and design
proposal for Gothenburg to support a
social ecological system through promoting
urban habitats for the chosen species.
The research identified two aspects that
are equally important for increasing the
quality of urban habitats: connectivity
and resources – feeding and foraging
within a reachable distance and spreading
between habitats. The proposal suggests
the usage of three scales of design: city-,
neighborhood and street-scale, reflecting
the dependency of the individual habitat,
its surrounding context as well as its entire
urban habitat network.