Director
Phone:
+49 711 685 66577
The Aim of the UrbanInsects research project
We take an interdisciplinary approach to combining energy-efficient facade insulation with biodiversity, thereby bridging the gap between climate protection and biodiversity. The aim of the project is to develop and research solutions for creating habitats for insects on (building) facades without damaging them. In addition, the aim is to create a new nature experience for city dwellers and to raise awareness in society of the importance of insects and habitat systems.
The research takes into account building physics, building culture, and social aspects in order to combine maximum functional safety and social acceptance. The focus is on the development of habitat systems for insects on existing and new buildings in the public and private sectors. The potential of these structures for habitat design is to be scientifically investigated, technologically improved, and tested in practice. Risks and obstacles to the design of the built environment for increasing biodiversity in urban areas are to be identified and overcome. In doing so, the habitat systems must not permanently adversely affect the building substance, comfort, or residents' attitudes toward insects.
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The habitat systems were tested for sound insulation at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics. Shown here is the installation of a wild bee nesting aid to measure the rated sound insulation value.
Image: IABP, University of Stuttgart
Our Survey Methodology
The project promotes the connection between science and practice through interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, regular exchanges between the specialist departments generate the development of solutions. The aim is to achieve optimal results through gradual refinement and improvement of the building structure.
The research is divided into experimental local data collection at the test sites in the areas of building physics and urban ecology, as well as sociological surveys on acceptance and participation in urban society.
To investigate the building physics parameters, thermal and moisture phenomena in the exterior wall construction and the interior space behind it are primarily examined using measurement techniques. Measuring points are distributed across the cross-section of the three different types of facades and in the interior of the test buildings as well as within the habitat systems. In particular, the temperature and humidity measurements in the habitat systems, in combination with entomological surveys and observation of the outdoor climate, allow conclusions to be drawn about the comfort zone of the insects in the facades. Critical factors such as overheating and condensation must be minimized in order to prevent mold growth in the interior and in the habitat structures and to ensure the fitness of the insects. The aim of the study is to achieve a healthy indoor climate for humans and insects.
The urban ecological field surveys focus on existing target insect species (both beneficial and harmful). During regular inspections, the species and number of insects in and around the habitat systems, nest closures of predominantly wild bees, and the habitat and vegetation structures at the test sites are recorded and then evaluated.
Qualitative and quantitative survey methods are used to answer the extensive sociological questions. The central focus here is on investigating the attitude of urban society towards insects and their promotion through facade-integrated habitat systems. This is carried out and evaluated by means of focus groups, online surveys, and a stakeholder workshop.
By integrating the findings from the disciplines of building physics, urban ecology, and sociology, we hope to draw conclusions about suitable framework conditions for the successful implementation of facade-integrated habitat systems in existing and new urban structures.
News about the Project can be found on our LinkedIn Channel.
Current Data and Results
We are still in the initial phase of the project and are currently collecting data for evaluation.
Some measurement points can be seen in the photos below.
In this project, measurements are taken to draw conclusions about the comfort zone for both insects and humans based on building physics.
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
For this purpose, surface temperatures on the various materials, among other things, are measured regularly.
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
as well as humidity and temperature within the systems and the interior.
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
Routing the sensor cables of a habitat system into the interior space behind it during installation of the measurement technology.
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
We provide updates on interim results and upcoming findings on our LinkedIn channel.
Feel free to follow us there for news about the project!
In the meantime, you can find information and documentation about our mock-ups and test buildings on the Construction Progress page.
ZIRIUS' Contribution to the Project
ZIRIUS is involved with its expertise in the field of communication and participation. This includes organizing, conducting, and evaluating results from focus groups with citizens who are affected or not affected by biodiversity-promoting facade constructions, as well as stakeholders who may be actually or potentially involved in the professional installation of insect-promoting facade habitats (e.g., craft businesses, housing companies, authorities). In addition, a standardized, Germany-wide online survey of the German population will be conducted on the opportunities and risks of insect colonization in urban residential areas. Among other things, this survey will focus on knowledge about and attitudes toward biological diversity and insects, as well as factors that promote or inhibit the acceptance of measures to increase biological diversity. The empirical studies will be used to derive participatory strategies for the successful implementation of facade-integrated habitats, taking into account the different perceptions of risk, and to disseminate these strategies through publications in specialist journals.
There are reservations about insects based on traditional experience, but also linked to new building trends. These range from the use of conventional insulation materials to the penetration of typical sealing layers and the marks that insects leave on sensitive surfaces. With this project, we are developing a sound and interdisciplinary knowledge of these interrelationships. This is an important step forward, which we will effectively use in the next step to develop innovative solutions for facade-integrated habitat systems.
The focus is on constructive and intelligent design variants, such as passive and active layer and surface barriers, integrated cavity systems, and, of course, a suitable selection of materials. Biocidal substances are excluded from the outset. The current increase in the use of materials with a biogenic background or made from renewable raw materials is one of the challenges of this project.
Another challenge is gaining acceptance for facade-integrated habitat systems among all stakeholders. This applies to service providers, investors, and building residents alike.
Viable solutions can therefore only be developed and communicated through a gradual exchange between the various disciplines. The project therefore connects the individual specialist areas and closely links science and practice. In addition to increasing biodiversity in urban areas, the project also investigates factors such as the urban climate, sustainable construction, and participation and interaction in urban society.
Specifically, the project comprises the following measures:
- Development of participatory communication formats to raise awareness and promote a positive attitude toward insects
- Demonstrative implementation through the development, construction, testing, and optimization of two habitat test modules
- Installation of proven systems in building facades
- Documentation and guidelines for the integration of facade-integrated habitat systems into urban spaces
- Reproducible monitoring concept and recommendations for nature-oriented outdoor design
- Knowledge transfer of processed results to the population and construction practice
In the project described, the Institute of Acoustics and Building Physics is investigating both building physics and ecological target values. The focus here is on the damage-free condition and energy efficiency of the building envelope as well as comfort of use for humans and fauna.
To this end, facade-integrated habitat systems for insects are being developed, tested in the form of functionally expandable building systems, and monitored in a construction context. A comprehensive measurement concept based on implementation examples ensures continuous and intensive monitoring. This involves ongoing exchange with various stakeholders in order to transfer the implementation knowledge gained into practice.
The IABP's tasks also include overall project management in the areas of communication, public relations, external networking, and coordination of available resources.
The project results can provide important impetus to support the transformation towards a sustainable city.
The insights gained and solutions developed to increase biodiversity in urban areas are presented in a way that is easy to understand and tailored to the target audience. Sharing this information with society and raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems helps to build knowledge. Sharing also encourages imitation.
This goal is supported by publicly accessible, low-threshold project documentation and the associated transfer of knowledge. In addition to scientific publications, a guide as a source of information and practical assistance, other forms of result exploitation are also used. Examples include the interactive project website with a forum and (live) images of the study areas, information for topic-related networks, publications in the mass media, and stakeholder dialogue for experts.
The results include:
- Scientific showcase projects
- Interactive website with design knowledge
- Transfer tools for practical application
- Guidelines and practical aids, presentations, and publications
In order to involve all stakeholders and participants and to combine maximum functional safety with social acceptance, structural, architectural, and social aspects are taken into account. The aim is to identify and constructively address risks and obstacles to the design of the built environment in a way that promotes biodiversity. These aspects are examined in the project by linking the disciplines of civil engineering, environmental engineering, and sociology, as well as through close cooperation between science and practice.
The project description on this website reflects the views and opinions of the recipient of funding from the Federal Biological Diversity Program and does not necessarily correspond to the views of the funding provider.
Tailored Information is available on the following Pages:
Project Management
Contact Persons at IABP
Elternzeit
Phone:
+49 711 685 65629
ZIRIUS Contact Persons
Project Duration
July 2023 – November 2026
Total Funding Volume
975,752 Euro
Project Funding
German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV),
German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN),
German Federal Biological Diversity Program
State
Baden-Württemberg
Funding Information
The UrbanInsects project is funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation as part of the Federal Biological Diversity Program with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.
This website reflects the views and opinions of the recipient of funding from the Federal Biological Diversity Program and does not necessarily reflect the views of the funding provider.
