Full project title:
Building in Harmony with Nature
Duration:
1.1.2024. – 31.10.2024.
Total budget:
8,981.72 €
Association Biom budget: 2.490,00 €
City of Dubrovnik: 2,210.00 €
Own cofinancing: 6.395,00 €
Lead beneficiary:
Association Biom
Project partners:
Dubrovnik Natural History Museum
Project goals
Raise awareness of the concept of urban diversity and its importance, both among the general public and the target group represented by owners/managers of commercial buildings in the City of Dubrovnik.
Involve the local community in the conservation of urban biodiversity.
Propose various solutions for the preservation of biodiversity and the provision of suitable cavities for bird nesting during the construction and renovation of various buildings.
Promote and educate the public on the topic of swift conservation and raise awareness about the preservation of urban biodiversity, as well as the opportunities for individual contributions to its conservation.
Project summary
Swifts, like many other bird and animal species, have coexisted with humans since ancient times. They have found nesting places in the cracks and cavities of human-made structures and have been part of our cities for centuries. Swifts are fascinating in many ways—from their incredible flying abilities to their long migrations that reach as far as the southern parts of the African continent. With modernization, urban areas are changing, and the cracks and cavities in buildings where swifts nest are rapidly disappearing. The loss of nesting sites leads to a decline in swift populations and a reduction in the biological diversity of our cities. Urban biodiversity is a crucial part of the city environment; its preservation and richness directly contribute to creating healthy, sustainable cities that are suitable for both people and nature. That is exactly why the project “Building in Harmony with Nature” was launched. It addresses the trend of urban biodiversity loss and aims to raise awareness about the need for its protection. The project is being implemented in the city of Dubrovnik, where collaboration and strong partnerships offer an opportunity to act locally and raise community awareness about the importance of swift conservation and how to do it. Swifts have inhabited the walls of Dubrovnik for centuries and are undoubtedly one of the city’s living symbols. Throughout Croatia, only the residents of Dubrovnik can call white-bellied swifts their neighbors—just one of the many unique features of this centuries-old city. The loss of nesting sites in urban environments is one of the causes of the decline in swift populations. Older buildings provided many hollow spaces that swifts and other birds used for raising their young. However, renovations of these buildings often lead to the disappearance of those nesting cavities, and our society—as well as modern architecture in Croatia—still needs to fully recognize the importance of preserving or replacing them.
Planned activities:
Promotion of the issue and public presentation of the publication
Expert analysis of the current situation in the City of Dubrovnik
Expert analysis of examples of good practices from Croatia and around the world
Creation of a publication to raise public awareness about the preservation of urban biodiversity
Materials and publications
The implementation of the project is co-financed by the City of Dubrovnik through a public call for the (co)financing of projects in the fields of environmental and nature protection, as well as urbanism and spatial planning, that are of interest to the City of Dubrovnik for the year 2024.