Architecture 3rd Year Urban Workshop II
Bogota’s Bird Friendly Building Design Policy A Proposal for a policy towards the new building design in urban planning of Plan Fenicia in the city of Bogota
by LUCAS CHUNG & OLALLA MONTEAGUDO TEIRA IE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE 2015
Abstract Before anything, it is important to state the reason in which this policy is concentrated on bird species and how bird friendly new design for buildings can increase the quality of life in the city centre of Bogota, Colombia. Many countries already presented dozens of such policies, each adapted to their own native bird species and city conditions. However, they can all be interconnected, not only because many of these countries are related through birds migration, but also because they seek for the same results. “Birds have a main importance in the ecosystem.” “They disperse seeds, consume vast numbers of insects, reduce the transmission of disease, and provide pest control and pollination services for agriculture and forestry.” Not only environmentally, birds are also economically friendly to the urban city. “Birds are beautiful and accessible forms of nature that bring the city to life with their songs and flight.” The activity shared by millions of tourists around the world of bird watching is one of the most popular leisure activities in the world, raising billions of dollars yearly. The objective of this policy is to bring awareness of bird friendly design for buildings in Bogota, with main concern on the new upcoming proposal of Plan Fanicia, which shows many opportunities and promises, but lacks on detailed information when talking about the relationship between urban city and nature. With this proposal, we will be able to bring a second layer of information, pointing at bird species and how architecture can be a powerful tool to bring nature and city into harmony. Hopefully, the success of this idea will grow out of the boundaries of Plan Fenicia and grow into the whole city of Bogota, raising awareness towards the citizens, improving the life of birds, reducing these species deaths and improving the life of people in the capital of Colombia.
INDEX MAIN REASONS FOR CHANGE IN MIGRATORY BIRDS PATHS THE PROPOSAL GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS OF BUILDING’S ELEMENTS 1. GLASS 2. GRIDS vertical vegetation 3. VEGETATION choice according to species 4. MASONRY plaster bricks for birds nesting 5. LIGHT pollution and reduction of such 6. BIG SCALE TREES CONCLUSIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY
MAIN REASONS FOR CHANGE IN MIGRATORY BIRDS PATHS Birds migration in Bogota has changed over the years through several issues: these include Global Warming, City Expansion, Pesticides on Rural Areas, Disappearance of Ecosystems, Food Supply In Parks in the City, Increase of Parks quantities, Restoration of Wetlands and Construction of Artificial Lakes.
Global Warming : due to the increment of temperature, birds that used to go to warmer places than Bogotá, now stay in the city instead of continuing their route towards South.
City Expansion : birds that used to stay in the Savanna of Bogotá, which due to the city expansion has basically disappeared, prefer to stay in the green parks of the city. Moreover, birds cannot change their migratory routes even if the conditions change, therefore, if where the Savanna was, now there is an urban environment, they need to adapt and find a good place to stay there.
Pesticides on Rural Areas : most of the Savanna of Bogotá that got colonized by the city, turned into agriculture and plantation areas, which are intoxicated by pesticides; therefore, birds find the parks a more healthy environment.
Disappearance of Ecosystems : due to the city expansion (from 1 million people in 1945 to almost 8 millions in 2012) over the original ecosystems, forests and wetlands, which were the habitat of many birds; they have to find resources on the trees and lakes of the city. 100 years ago, there were 55,000 ha of wetlands, now there are only 800 ha because it has been urbanized or ruralized.
Food Supply in Parks : parts of the Savanna where birds used to migrate that now have been urbanized, are still the habitat for them as they have found resources on the trees of these artificial environments. The importance of
keeping the green spaces of the city in a good quality is the key to keep sustaining these species that have adapted.
Increment on Number of Parks : as the number of parks and green areas on Bogotá has increased over the past decades, the birds have many more resources in the city.
Restoration of Wetlands : due to current actions of conservations of the wetlands, some bird species find habitat there. However, as some of them are surrounded by urban areas, the birds still need to fly over the city of Bogotá to arrive to destination.
Construction of Artificial Lakes : the artificial lakes that have been built along the last decades, have been trying to replace some of the ecological functions of the wetlands, at least the one of giving habitat to birds.
THE PROPOSAL The idea of the policy is that human interference on the environment usually has negative consequences, and even if not, there is always the need for precaution, and assure that the environment in the city is kept in a healthy state. With the diagram shown below, the most important aspect was that every single action would be a source of information to raise awareness and educate the citizens of Bogota about the consequences for their urban daily life and what actions can improve their lives as well as the ones of wild species.
Image 1. Timeline of problems caused by humans in nature and the solutions for such cases
Much of this cases already happened in many countries, and many of them also had solutions and their own policies to be followed, and the city of Bogota is no exception. With the Plan Fenicia currently being worked on,
part of the city is being redesigned to be able to create a friendly relationship between the citizens and the wildlife which surrounds it, as well as being able to increase the amount of citizens and new inhabitants in big skyscrapers and buildings.
Image 2. Plan Fenicia summary
As utopian and perfect as the Plan Fenicia might seem, there is still much to be considered or defined, specially when considering human and nature’s relationship. More than that, in this policy focused on bird friendly design, Plan Fenicia lacks with no information to be found. Hence, the proposal of this policy is to be an extra layer that the plan needs to cover
the lack of knowledge concerning birds species and humans positive relationship goal.
Image 3. Plan Fenicia proposal of new buildings
The design of the buildings on this area need to be properly designed according to how birds are reacting to the existing structures of the city. For instance, many birds are being found dead due to collision with buildings and their transparent or reflective windows, mainly the Tingua bogotana from the species Rallus semi plumbeus, covering a number of 7 bird bodies found daily (resulting in almost 200 deaths monthly). For that we need to know specific concepts about birds, from the orientation of the city in relation to the migratory routes that birds are taking around the city.
GENERAL Rules: 1. Glass transparency, reflection and opacity 2. Grids vertical vegetation 3. Vegetation choice according to species 4. Masonry plaster bricks for birds nesting 5. Light pollution and reduction of such 6. Big Scale
Before anything, we must clarify how the proposal of this policy is being input in the city of Bogota, with clear understanding of the main objective of bird friendly building construction. With over 100 species of national birds in Bogota, we need to consider that each bird has a different preferences and needs, in terms of feeding, breeding, nesting, flying and even swimming. For that, we decided to exemplify the progression of the project and how bird friendly buildings should be designed in the Plan Fenicia by studying 6 different bird species together. Zorzal carigris Catharus minimus Canario sabanero Sicalis luteola Tingua, polla sabanera Gallinula melanops Esmerejón Falco columbarius
Hemispingus cejiblanco Hemispingus superciliaris Currucutú Megascops choliba
Garzón azulado Ardea herodias Abanico pechinegro Myioborus miniatus
Atrapamoscas chiflaperro Myiotheretes striaticollis Colibrí verdemar Colibri thalassinus
Gavilán negro Buteo leucorrhous Gorriónmontés listado Arremon torquatus
Colibrí pechipunteado Adelomyia melanogenys Mirla blanca, sinsonte común Mimus gilvus Golondrina plomiza Orochelidon murina Titiribí pechirrojo Pyrocephalus rubinus Candelita norteña Setophaga ruticilla Solitario andino Myadestes ralloides Pibí boreal Contopus cooperi
Terlaque pechiazul Andigena nigrirostris Cometa colinegro Lesbia victoriae
Clarinero, tangará escarlata Anisognathus igniventris Búho orejudo Asio stygius Pava andina Penelope montagnii Inca buchidorado Coeligena bonapartei
Atrapamoscas Empidonax Pibí occidental Contopus sordidulus
Gavilán caminero Buteo magnirostris
Picaflor lustroso Diglossa lafresnayii
Guala cabecirroja Cathartes aura Reinita cerúlea Dendroica cerulea
Halcón peregrino Falco peregrinus
Pato piquidorado Anas georgica Tapaculo ocelado Acropternis orthonyx Reinita de Canadá Wilsonia canadensis Pitajo ahumado Ochthoeca fumicolor
Zambullidor piquigrueso Podilymbus podiceps Zambullidor chico Tachybaptus dominicus Tangará negriazul Tangara vassorii
Lechuza común Tyto alba Reinita acuática Seiurus noveboracensis
Tucancito esmeralda Aulacorhynchus prasinus Vencejo collarejo Streptoprocne zonaris Avetorillo bicolor Ixobrychus exilis Cometa coliverde Lesbia nuna
Pibí oriental Contopus virens
Andarríos manchado Actitis macularius Gorrión afelpado Catamblyrhynchus diadema
Inca collarejo Coeligena torquata Azulejo pechinegro Buthraupis eximia Tirano norteño Tyrannus tyrannus Cucarachero paramuno Cistothorus platensis
Cucarachero rufo Cinnycerthia unirufa Cucarachero pechigrís Henicorhina leucophrys Garcita bueyera Bubulcus ibis
Chamón común Molothrus bonariensis Gavilán de Swainson Buteo swainsoni Gavilán aliancho Buteo platypterus Inca negro Coeligena prunellei
Colibrí aterciopelado Lafresnaya lafresnayi Reinita dorada Dendroica petechia
Andarríos solitario Tringa solitaria
Atrapamoscas canelo Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus Picogordo degollado Pheucticus ludovicianus
Bababuy, picogordo pechinegro Pheucticus aureoventris Tingua, polla azul Porphyrio martinica Alizafiro grande Pterophanes cyanopte r us
Tiranuelo culirrufo Phyllomyias uropygialis
Chirlobirlo Sturnella magna
Garcita rayada Butorides striata Guaco común Nycticorax nycticorax
Chulo, gallinazo negro Coragyps atratus Paloma doméstica Columba livia
Águila paramuna Geranoaetus melanoleucus Colibrí picoespada Ensifera ensifera
Gavilán maromero Elanus leucurus
Buhito andino Glaucidium jardinii Periquito de anteojos Forpus conspicillatus Azor cordillerano Accipiter striatus
Alondra cornuda Eremophila alpestris Carbonero, picaflor negro Diglossa humeralis Carpintero carmesí Colaptes rivolii
Carpintero pardo Picoides fumigatus
Tororoi comprapán Grallaria ruficapilla Tingua, focha americana Fulica americana Sirirí común Tyrannus melancholicus
Colibrí paramuno Aglaeactis cupripennis
Buchipecosa, zorzal buchipecoso Catharus ustulatus
Monjita cabeciamarilla Chrysomus icterocephalus Arrendajo negro Amblycercus holoseri c eus
Chirriador, cucarachero de Apolinar Cistothorus apolinari
Colibrí chillón Colibri coruscans Cotinga crestada Ampelion rubrocristatus
Torcaza collareja Patagioenas fasciata Cucarachero común Troglodytes aedon
Barraquete aliazul Anas discors Gorriónmontés cabeciblanco Atlapetes pallidinucha
Tingua bogotana, rascón bogotano Rallus semiplumbeus Torcaza nagüiblanca Zenaida auriculata Mirla patinaranja Turdus fuscater
Tiranuelo gorgiblanco Mecocerculus leucophrys Tangara veranera Piranga rubra Copetón, gorrión copetón Zonotrichia capensis Picaflor de antifaz Diglossa cyanea
Tingua, polla gris Gallinula chloropus
Pato turrio, pato rufo Oxyura jamaicensis Metalura colirroja Metallura tyrianthina Reinita gorginaranja Dendroica fusca Arañero cabecinegro Basileuterus nigrocristatus For this designing process, we selected the following species out of the 109 listed above: 1. Tirano Norteño Tyrannus tyrannus 2. Andarríos solitario Tringa solitaria 3. Pibí Oriental Contopus virens 4. Tangara veranera Piranga rubra 5. Reinita gorginaranja Dendroica fusca 6. Tingua bogotana Rallus semi plumbeus A study was made of each of the species in order to find out their differences, but also similarities, in the objective of finding common interests between species and possible coexistence of such in bird friendly buildings.
Image 4. Bird species study
Image 5. Bird migratory species origins
With this analysis, it was possible to think about how a building should be designed with these parameters taken in account. By such idea, we thought about how a tree would have to be in order to satisfy all 6 birds together.
Image 6. Tree Bird Friendly Diagram
We saw that a tree in such circumstances would need to be based on water, with deciduous leaves, in the same time that it would have dense
parts and others that are not; a minimum of 20m height; produce enough fruits for all birds and finally attract insects as part of the birds’ diet.
Image 7. Conversion from Tree Diagram into Building
In a similar sense of thinking, this analysis could be applied to how a building could be designed to be Bird Friendly, and for this specific case, which characteristics it should follow to be able to satisfy the needs of all the 6 selected species. The design of the building is then developed out of this analysis, creating a building where many species can encounter shelter and vegetation as well as food that is appropriate to them, in the same time this same building is
inhabited by a large number of people. The connection between both will raise people’s awareness on the birds, from their existence to their needs, as well as developing a place for Bird Watching activity, the very touristic and desired hobby of many people in the city of Bogota. SPECIFICATIONS OF BUILDING’S ELEMENTS 1. GLASS Birds collision against glass of buildings is presented as the highest death rate of bird species in the world. This is due to the fact that different from humans, birds cannot perceive glass as a solid, and whether totally transparent or reflective, birds cannot see it as glass can also reflect the sky and the surrounding landscape. Therefore, there are many skyscrapers and buildings in Bogota that do not show any concern towards this issue, and the ones inside Plan Fenicia are not an exception. Therefore, we propose a new design on materiality, in this case glass, for the new
buildings that will be built in the next few years. For, that, we must follow these principal rules:
1. The height that presents the highest collision probability is at or below mature tree height, or up to the fourth floor of a building, approximately 12 meters, whichever is highest. Therefore, buildings that reach or surpass this height, should have priority opacity of glass transparency from 10 to 14 meters (as a rounding measurement) 2. Apply visual markers to the exterior of glass surfaces (markers on the interior surface of glass are less effective). Ensure gaps between markers are no greater than 5 cm vertically or 10 cm horizontally. This ensures enough visual markers for the birds to recognize glass as a solid, as well as keeping the initial integrities of the transparent glass for the inhabitants of the building 3. Optimal density of horizontally placed visual markers is a minimum of 3 cm wide spaced at a maximum of 3 cm, or a minimum of 5 mm wide spaced at a
maximum of 5 cm apart. The horizontal spacing, by being much less distant between the lines of the markers, ensures a reduction of birds trying to fly between markers 4. Ground levels of buildings should be covered by a canopy of sun shaders
2. GRIDS With the increase of birds migratory species in the city, there is a number of issues that need to be considered: each bird species has different preferences and they are not always similar to others. In a city, this needs to be considered not to create competition between species in the same area; different plants attract different species of birds for its fruits, flowers, nutrients and so on. Birds fly in different heights, and so there must be a
connection between different fly height levels and vegetation selection on grids. This also must be connected to the first material, glass. This means that the grid will be on certain levels and specific facades of the buildings that are directed towards the main direction of the flying birds. 3. VEGETATION Vegetation is also changed through birds necessities. Birds have been staying in the city of Bogota due to the fact that parks present aspects that are positive for birds. However, different species require different aspects. For instance, when it comes to nesting, birds build their nest in different heights, some species even on the ground.
For this fact, we must consider that Plan Fenicia has the idea of creating a long linear park which would be the continuity of the cerros into the city. However, we must consider which vegetation that will be placed there, following the conditions that the vegetation is: Pro active towards birds species Each plant input placed for birds necessities such as nesting, breeding, hiding and feeding Placed in terms of function rather than aesthetic view of the citizens Not a pest plant species, or an “alien species” that could reduce the existing plants on the site. 4. MASONRY PLASTER BRICKS FOR BIRDS NESTING We must consider another layer of details towards bird friendly design of buildings, when Plan Fenicia is dealing mainly with new buildings and we believe on a strong possibility of improvement on the existing ones. For that, we thought about plaster bricks, already used in some countries for brick walls that need to be rebuilt or fixed. These bricks are designed to
have hollow areas which birds can find appropriate for nesting, while developing a new layer of relationship between buildings and birds.
Image 8. Bird friendly masonry bricks
5. LIGHT POLLUTION AND REDUCTION OF SUCH Artificial light of the city has been a major problem for birds, both in the migration paths as well as flying methods. Many birds choose to fly at night to avoid predators using the moon and the stars as orientation, and when artificial light is blended to it, birds become disoriented and lose
themselves, sometimes even cause accidents and deaths of these specimens. For that, there needs to be a new design of street lights in the Plan Fenicia, using cut off structures so light is directed towards the ground rather than to the sky as well . In this way, the city can still be lighted up at night without any negative aspects to it, as well as providing protection to the birds view. 6. BIG SCALE Rather than just considering the “boundaries of Plan Fenicia”, we believe on the opportunity of having this policy introduced throughout the city:
Parks following the same system of plantation of plants with rigorous policy on birds needs Glass and Masonry materials adapted to be bird friendly buildings Increase in human awareness through conferences, city meetings, etc. The increase in human awareness is less when done by legal issues. When trying to hit the public, we believe that the Universidad de los Andes is able to provide a chance to increase the knowledge of people about bird friendly buildings and what to do to increase this. Therefore, we believe that the Universidad de los Andes is able to have conferences and meetings, as well as signs or galleries showing the research we have done throughout the process. The university will provide awareness for the citizens, but mostly on the students which will be able to see this everyday. Not only that, the building can have improvement on its structure that would make the University a main example for the city. TREES Creating green areas in the city seems like the solution to provide habitat to all those bird species who have lost theirs. The proper way of doing it is
planting traditional tree species that have been feeding them for centuries, and little by little replacing the huge amount of inserted species (native from Australia, China and North America) which do not help with the feeding or conservation of birds.
Image 9. Trees in Bogota categorized
For the conservation of migratory birds is recommended to plant the following trees in parks and green areas of the city: Arboloco ( Smallanthus pyramidalis) Arrayán ( Myrclanthes leucoxyla)
Aliso ( Alnus acuminata )
Carbonero rojo ( Calliandria carbonaria) Cerezo ( Prunus serotina)
Cucharo ( Rapanea ferruginea) Feijoa ( Feijoa sellowiana) Gaque ( Clusia multiflora )
Guamo ( Inga bogotensis)
Holly ( Pyracantha coccinea )
Sauce ( Salix humboldtiana)
However, for the sake of the design made out of 6 selected species, we could exemplify how the selection of this vegetation should be made. For instance, from all vegetation, by accordance to the birds preferences and usual living characteristics, the following listing of vegetation was created: 1. Arboloco (Smallanthus pyramidalis) Grows next to water (river), planted usually in parks and gardens, big leaves, small yellow flowers that attracts bees with a maximum height of 10m 2. Arrayán (Myrclanthes leucoxyla) 616 m height tree, the leaves of this tree do not fall, a “perenne” species, dense and angular branches (horizontal sometimes). It contains big fruits, which attracts bees and flies. Grows next to Myrica parvifolia , Weinmannia tomentosa and Prunus buxifolia , other plant species which are able to coexist with this tree without causing any competition between them
3. Carbonero rojo (Calliandra carbonaria) Red flower vegetation of vines with an average height of 6m, colonized by colibris and tons of insects (bees), it is a very appropriate plant species that could exist on the facades of buildings for the improvement of bird friendly design. 4. Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana) bushes of 2m high, with a large amount of fruits. Also a perenne tree, this “non falling leaves tree” can be found many times in parks and gardens around the city. 5. Sause (Salix humboldtiana) This tree grows in humid areas, close to water, and can be usually found in parks and gardens. Its maximum height reaches 25m, which very light foliage (not dense), being very appropriate for certain species of birds that do not live on dense vegetation since they need open and large clear areas for hunting.
CONCLUSION With all these parameters carefully analysed and selected, we designed a final proposal of a utopian bird friendly building, where we imagine the best case scenario for both sides, humans and birds. Not only this building would raise awareness about birds and create a better relationship and healthy daily life between birds and humans, it would also increase to more designing of such buildings throughout the whole city. Even more than that, it would also raise awareness towards the general concept of nature and environment that surround the city of Bogota, raising projects and more policies for other species and wildlife, not only birds ones towards the Plan Fenicia and other future projects of City Planning. Finally, we believe that images can say more than words, as we conclude this policy with
representations of the final image of this Utopian building, and with how many possibilities and opportunities can be found, as well as how much can be reached if the images below are studied and fought to become real. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. http://www.opepa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category &sectionid=9&id=89&Itemid=29&limit=50&limitstart=50 2. http://csifesvr.uan.edu.co/index.php/nodo/article/viewFile/158/138 3. http://humedalesbogota.com/2011/10/14/temporadadeavesmigrator ias/ 4. Land Use Planning and Policy. Bird Friendly Urban Design Guildelines , September 2010, City of Calgary
5. City of Vancouver, Bird Friendly Urban Design Guidelines Explanatory Note, September 2014, Vancouver
6. http://www.opepa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id= 577&Itemid=29