{"id":74878,"date":"2026-02-03T09:00:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T07:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/?page_id=74878"},"modified":"2026-02-18T15:14:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T13:14:59","slug":"importance-of-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/sustainability\/biodiversity\/importance-of-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Importance of biodiversity in urban areas"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The importance of biodiversity in urban areas | Resilience, livability and attractiveness<\/h1>\n

The sustainable development of cities and urban areas is closely linked to biodiversity and the ecosystem services. In urban areas, the importance of biodiversity becomes particularly evident in climate risk management, the quality of living environments, and the long-term sustainability of cities.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Take a look at our projects<\/a>Contact our experts<\/a>Our biodiversity services<\/a><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>\n\n
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

The importance of biodiversity in sustainable cities<\/h2>\n

The combined impacts of climate change<\/a> and biodiversity<\/a> loss are already visible in many cities, for example as increasing heat and urban flooding. These changes affect the functionality of urban structures, the quality of living environments, and the everyday lives of residents.<\/p>\n

At Sweco, we ensure that biodiversity<\/a> is considered in urban planning and construction in a timely and effective way \u2013 from strategy to implementation, from large-scale concepts to individual blocks.<\/p>\n

Would you like to ensure that biodiversity is comprehensively addressed in your urban development<\/a> or construction<\/a> project?<\/p>\n

Contact our experts<\/a><\/div>\n
\n

Integrating biodiversity into sustainable urban planning and construction<\/h2>\n

The importance of biodiversity in sustainable urban planning<\/a> is undeniable. Considering it in the built environment supports the state of nature, improves the functionality of living environments, and helps manage climate risks. When biodiversity is integrated into the planning of the built environment, it can enhance urban microclimates, reduce the impacts of extreme weather events, and increase the overall comfort of urban spaces.<\/p>\n

A diverse urban environment also provides concrete benefits for people: for example, shading trees can reduce heat-related health issues. Urban green areas, such as woodlands and meadows, can enhance human well-being by easing stress and supporting mental health.<\/p>\n

Sweco supports cities, municipalities, and construction experts in addressing biodiversity at all levels of planning\u2014from strategy<\/a> and zoning<\/a> to the implementation of individual buildings and green areas.<\/a><\/p>\n

Well-planned and well-managed biodiversity work also supports the requirements of green financing and the achievement of strategic environmental objectives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What is biodiversity?<\/a><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n\n \t \t\t
\n \t\t\t

The importance of biodiversity through collaboration:<\/h2>\n \t\t<\/div>\n \t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t \t\t
\n\t \t\t\t

The importance of biodiversity through collaboration:<\/h2>\n\t \t\t<\/div>\n\t \t\t\t\t
    \n
  1. define strategic objectives for considering biodiversity<\/a> as part of urban development<\/li>\n
  2. \n
  3. develop solutions that support ecosystem functioning and strengthen green infrastructure<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. improve the functionality, comfort and sustainability of the urban environment<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. meet statutory requirements<\/a> \u2014 and exceed them<\/li>\n
  6. fulfil the criteria of sustainable finance and the EU taxonomy<\/a> in different phases of the project<\/li>\n
  7. support the fulfilment of biodiversity-related reporting obligations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead more of the reference in Copenhagen\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n
    \n\t\t\t\"A <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
    \n\t
    \n\t
    \n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t

    Biodiversity is becoming increasingly significant in regulation, sustainability criteria for construction, and access to financing. Understanding the importance of biodiversity helps cities prepare for changing requirements and identify opportunities related to development.<\/p>\n

    We support the City of Turku in its nature roadmap work, which defines concrete actions to strengthen biodiversity. Sweco has also developed a data\u2011driven biodiversity roadmap<\/a> together with the City of Copenhagen, transforming urban nature survey data into actionable measures.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t