Courtyard Greening, Berlin

In Berlin, a Biotope Area Factor (BAF) is calculated based on how much land surface with habitat potential is being lost through urban land-use. Compensation is made by considering all suitable wall and roof surfaces as well as better use of the ground level spaces. A tax on drainage from impermeable surfaces encourages the minimisation of sealed surfaces that contribute to runoff. There is advice available on the choice of species to be planted, but this is not specified, and funding is available from the Local Authority.

At a local level implementation has various forms. Most areas are ‘greened’ either as they are built or as they are renovated. This allows measures such as the replacement of unnecessarily sealed surfaces. The design is always dependent on the prevalent conditions. However, constant features include: functional space (bike storage, general and recyclables bins); trees and nature-like planting or in smaller areas, climbers trained up wires which are then kept away from eaves; green roofs; paving only on main routes; and use of permeable surfaces.

Sources:

1. Berlin Department of Urban Development (2004) Biotope Area Factor, http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/umwelt/landschaftsplanung/bff/en/ziele.shtml
2. Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung und Umweltschutz (1997) Courage to plant green walls
3. Runze und Casper with the Senatsverwaltung für Bau und Wohnungswesen, (1990) Ecological planning and building