Last updated: October 2021
Under the “Bahn 2000” project while restructuring the main railway station of Zurich, a green roof has been implemented on one of the platforms. The whole area was mapped as a sensitive area, a living space for different endangered insects and reptiles whose natural environment consisted of desert-like spaces. Swiss law prohibits the destruction of such biotopes without replacement. In their protection, the idea of using the rooftop as a replacement was suggested and accepted by the administration. The roof was planned with a special focus on the living space demands of the different species. (Ref 1)
Greenroof
Urban Green-Blue Grids. Available at: https://www.urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/zurich-switzerland/. Accessed on 1st August, 2020
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
• Protection of the local ecosystem;
• Protection of the biotope;
• Create habitat for specific local animal species;
• Building temperature control (Ref 1).
Implementation activities
In Sihlpost Station, Zurich roofs have been designed to accommodate wall lizards, a rare grasshopper and several rare species of bee inhabit the trackside ballast. When the platforms were extended, the newly constructed platform roofs included stony habitat for the lizards and rare invertebrates. Lizard ladders, in the form of rock-filled gabions, connect the new roofs with the ground. (Ref 3) Therefore connections using block walls and planted fences had to be introduced to give rooftop access to the less mobile insects. On the ground, a system of interconnected biotopes of the same sandy and rocky surfaces as those on the roof had to be installed to attract and house the necessary fauna and flora to make the system work. (Ref 1)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change mitigation:
- Install vertical or horizontal artificial surfaces that help with carbon storage and cooling
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore native species
Main beneficiaries
- Unknown
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Led by Zurich municipality, designed and implemented by INGE LHL, a private foundation for designing buildings (Ref 1)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
((a) ‘Swiss Landscape Concept’ when commissioning or rehabilitating buildings and installations. This means that facilities must be compatible with natural settings and landscape. (Ref 3)
(b) "Swiss Federal Act on animal protection" has been designed to protect endangered species, "Swiss Feredal Act on the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage": in support of protecting biodiversity. (Ref 3)
)
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(The “Zurich 2035 strategies” to follow the vision of further developing Zurich into a metropolis with sustainable facilities. (Ref 4))
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
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. Sihlpost Platform at Zurich Main Railway Station. Project details. Source link. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 1st August 2020.
2. Bahn 2000, Switzerland. Source link. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 1st August 2020.
3. Grant. G. 2013. Green roof and facades. IHS. BRE Press.
4. Policies in the city of Zurich. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 1st August 2020.
5. Lining roofs. Alluvial gravels, Lizards and green roofs – photo of the day. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 1st August, 2020.
2. Bahn 2000, Switzerland. Source link. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 1st August 2020.
3. Grant. G. 2013. Green roof and facades. IHS. BRE Press.
4. Policies in the city of Zurich. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 1st August 2020.
5. Lining roofs. Alluvial gravels, Lizards and green roofs – photo of the day. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 1st August, 2020.