Biodiversity Hub North-Westcluster
Biodiversity (the variety of species of animals and plants) is essential for a healthy nature. Plants purify the water and air, pollinate of crops, absorb CO2, maintain soil fertilization and supply us with medicines and food. Unfortunately, biodiversity worldwide and in the Netherlands has been declining for decades. To change this, Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 is working on strengthening biodiversity, for example by creating green avenues. Recovery is partly done through this biodiversity hub.
A public competition was held in the spring of 2021, asking for ideas to enhance biodiversity on campus. From the entries, the jury has chosen the biodiversity hub of Remy Visscher as the winner. Remy (20) has completed the Urban Green Development course and worked in the Botanical Gardens during his studies. He has translated his experience and knowledge of greening the city and climate adaptation into the biodiversity hub. Remy's idea was developed for this location together with landscape design agency Topia.
Remy: 鈥淚 started by looking at what is needed to increase biodiversity. This is mainly variation in, for example, height, height, plant structure and flowering times. In the next step, I looked at how to create as much variation as possible within a small space. Wet nature in the Netherlands is endangered, so I thought of excavating the ground. To maintain a closed ground balance, this could again be used for a hillock, which in turn creates more difference in height.
It is precisely this variety that creates different microclimates. This encourages many different types of plants and animals to come together in a small area. This explains the name biodiversity hub. Plants and herbs that already occur naturally on and around the campus (indigenous species) have been chosen. In this way, the local nature is enhanced: insects, among others, are used to these particular flora.
The water pools serve an additional purpose: they collect rainwater during wet periods or during heavy showers, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. Together with the embankments, the landscape has become more playful. The tree trunk in the middle of the hub, together with the benches, create a meeting place and is also an attractive place for insects.
The hub was built in February 2022 and officially opened on May 18, 2022. In the coming years, this place will become greener and biodiversity will flourish. And who knows, in the future, this may just be one of many biodiversity hubs on campus.