Last updated: October 2021
The Interpretation Centre at the Cardiff Castle is displaying a green roof of wildflowers. As well as changing the look of the roof, the wildflower meadow has increased the biodiversity of the area. The nectar-rich species of wildflower turf attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The roof had a simple irrigation system built into the substrate where the maintenance would be minimal (ref 3).
Cardiff Castle Green Roof (2007)
Wildflower Turf Ltd., retrieved 08/15/2018 from James Hewetson-Brown (Managing Director)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Protection of natural ecosystems
Project objectives
1. To be durable - withstand wear from maintenance / be self-sustaining. (ref 2)
2. Complement the look of the Castle and its surrounding landscaping. (ref 3)
3. Nectar-rich species of wildflower turf to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators (ref 3)
Implementation activities
1. installation of 270m² of Wildflower Roof Turf creation (ref 1)
2. The roof had installed a simple irrigation system and maintenance meant to be minimal (ref 3)
3. The nectar-rich species of wildflower turf was cared for so as to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators (ref 3)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Create new habitats
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The key Client is the Cardiff County Council. Wildflower Turf Ltd. supplied turf for the roof of the Cardiff Castle interpretation centre (ref 3)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€100,000 - €500,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public regional budget
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Increased number of species present
- Enhanced support of pollination
Economic impacts
- Unknown
- More sustainable tourism
- Increased property prices
- Generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
- Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Wild flower turf. (No Date). Case Study- Cardiff castle. (No Date) [Website not available in 2020]
2. Wild flower turf. (2010). Interpreting the Past with a Green Roof at Cardiff Castle. Wild flower turf blogs. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 6 2020]
3. External works index. (No Date). Green roof, Cardiff Castle interpretation centre. [Website not available in 2020].
4. Wild flower turf. (2013). Cardiff Castle Update. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 6 2020]
5. Cardiff Caerdydd. (2019). Cardiff Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty Forward Plan: City of Cardiff Council Green Infrastructure Plan. Cardiff: City of Cardiff. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 8 2020].
6. Cardiff Caerdydd. (No date.). Green and Blue Spaces. [Avaialable at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 8 2020].
7. Cardiff Castle. (2020). Important COVID-19 Updates. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 6 2020].
8. Dawkin. A. (2008). Cardiff Castle - Forecourt for the Interpretation Centre Building. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 6 2020].
9. Les Croupiers Casino. (2016). Cardiff castle is a centuries-old heritage site located in the heart of Cardiff, Wales. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on July 28 2020].
2. Wild flower turf. (2010). Interpreting the Past with a Green Roof at Cardiff Castle. Wild flower turf blogs. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 6 2020]
3. External works index. (No Date). Green roof, Cardiff Castle interpretation centre. [Website not available in 2020].
4. Wild flower turf. (2013). Cardiff Castle Update. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 6 2020]
5. Cardiff Caerdydd. (2019). Cardiff Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty Forward Plan: City of Cardiff Council Green Infrastructure Plan. Cardiff: City of Cardiff. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 8 2020].
6. Cardiff Caerdydd. (No date.). Green and Blue Spaces. [Avaialable at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 8 2020].
7. Cardiff Castle. (2020). Important COVID-19 Updates. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 6 2020].
8. Dawkin. A. (2008). Cardiff Castle - Forecourt for the Interpretation Centre Building. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on: Jul 6 2020].
9. Les Croupiers Casino. (2016). Cardiff castle is a centuries-old heritage site located in the heart of Cardiff, Wales. [Available at: Source link. [Accessed on July 28 2020].
Cardiff Castle Green Roof 4 Years After Installation (2013)
Wildflower Turf Ltd., retrieved 08/15/2018 from James Hewetson-Brown (Managing Director)
Cardiff Castle Green Roof 4 Years After Installation (2013)
Wildflower Turf Ltd., retrieved 08/15/2018 from James Hewetson-Brown (Managing Director)