Creating NEBourhoods Together

July 2024. What spaces of cohabitation between humans and animals can be created if wild animals are already included in the planning process of architecture, open space and urban planning? Using the "Animal-Aided Design" planning method, we looked for solutions to this question as part of "Creating NEBourhoods Together" – with the aim of promoting urban biodiversity in Neuperlach. The focus was particularly on existing and planned green spaces as well as residential and commercial buildings, new buildings and energy-efficient refurbishments.

The result is the "NEBourhoods Nisthocker": a modular wooden structure that offers space for trees, perennials and edible plants, as well as sunshades and nesting aids for birds, bats and wild bees, in addition to seating and sunbathing decks. A sculpture that combines habitats for people, animals and plants. The prototype can be dismantled and can therefore be relocated if necessary.

Development of the prototype: Inventory and target species identification

In the first phase of the NEB Action "Animal-Aided Design", the Studio Animal-Aided Design team responsible for the NEB Action, determined a regional species pool for Neuperlach comprising around 400 animal species. A comparison with the local site conditions led to the pre-selection of 90 animal species for which Neuperlach could be made liveable. The target species were further narrowed down in a participatory target species selection workshop together with experts and representatives from Neuperlach. This was based on questions such as where the species could be best integrated in Neuperlach or where innovative measures for the animal species could also have a positive impact on Neuperlach, as well as questions about possible locations for habitat elements. After analysing the workshop results and comparing them with needs and possible measures, the team identified 14 target species.

The aim was also to cover a broad spectrum of species and to develop different habitats. For example, through possible façade or roof greening, qualified extensification of green spaces or increasing the food supply through flower, fruit and seed-rich shrubs and perennials. The greatest potential was identified for bats, wild bees, butterflies and prominent urban birds such as the house sparrow.

Concrete implementation on site

But how can open space planning and urban development designs and scenarios for the possible coexistence of people, animals and plants be designed?

In order to translate the results of the analysis into habitat elements in the actual urban space, further collaboration took place with the landscape architect and urban planner Dr Susann Ahn and the landscape architect Prof. Dr Thomas E. Hauck from the Vienna University of Technology. Together with students from their research area "Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning", they analysed meeting points and places for residents in Neuperlach. The places were evaluated for possible appropriation by animals. The students worked analytically with the pair of terms coined by geographers Philo and Wilbert: "animal spaces" (spaces that humans allow animals to use, such as zoos, stables, pastures, wilderness) and "beastly places" (places that are actually used by animals).

In an open and unbiased way, the students developed a wide variety of designs – from net structures to pedestrian bridges and facades to garden houses, biodiversity modules for roof gardens and a bat tower as a system of wooden layers. The design selected for realisation by Hannah Hribek, Larissa Landa and Raya Veselinova is based on existing structures in Neuperlach, such as free-standing pergolas or those with seating in front of a green wall. Thanks to the modular structure with habitat elements for different animal species, it can be adapted to different locations.

In the long term, the sculpture, which was inaugurated at the beginning of July 2024, will become part of a new neighbourhood garden, which can gradually be supplemented with further ideas for the coexistence of people and animals. Initial ideas for this include wild bee nesting aids made of sand and clay, the construction of façade quarters for bats and the embedding of an urban roof garden planted with edible plants for the neighbourhood and other target animal species.

Raising awareness among the population

To raise awareness of biodiversity in urban areas and animal habitats among Neuperlach residents, the NEB "Animal-Aided Design" campaign offered a species trail in collaboration with creative designer Sarah Dorkenwald from UnDesignUnit. The animals' habitats were familiarised with in a playful way and through experimental changes of perspective. In subsequent discussion forums, the team worked together with the neighbourhood to develop what an animal-friendly city could look like and how multispecies coexistence could be organised.

Further information on the Animal-Aided Design method



LIVING LAB NEIGHBOURHOOD GARDEN

THEMES
Biodiversity • cohabitation • urban biodiversity • green city • nature in the city

PARTICIPANTS
NEB Action Animal-Aided Design
Design:
Prof. Dr Thomas E. Hauck, Prof. Dr Susann Ahn, Philip Castilleja, Christine Jakoby, Julia Ahm, Todor Andonov, Emanuel Braun, Sebastian Fehringer, Arianna Fois, Clara Frühwald, Nina Verena Gsöllpointner, Maike Heßmann, Maria Rosa Hochreiter, Marie Kaiser, Annalena Kindt, Sophia Lanner, Sandra Obermann, Julia Olf, Sophie Philipp, Tobias-Christoph Piesch, Anastasia Prozorovska, Eliana Ray, Philip Gideon Marius Riedel, Laura-Marie Sipple, Paula Johanna Tappe

Target species workshop with representatives from:
• Departments of the City of Munich Urban Planning & Building Regulations, Climate & Environmental Protection, Education & Sport
• WSB housing association
• Landesbund für Vogelschutz
• Local Group Munich East of the Bund für Naturschutz
• Münchner Gesellschaft für Stadterneuerung
• Churches in Neuperlach


Picture credits: NEBouhoods/Architekturgalerie München/Patrik Thomas, City of Munich/Sylvia Pintarits, TU Wien/Susann Ahn