Summary
This collection of ten case studies showcases practical examples of how biodiversity can be enhanced through construction, housing, public infrastructure and community projects across Ireland. The publication highlights real projects that demonstrate how nature-based solutions and regenerative design can help create healthier, more sustainable places while delivering benefits for people, wildlife and local communities.
The book was authored by Irene Rondini and Marion Jammet of the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) as part of the Construct Innovate Seed Fund project Building Regenerative Towns & Cities. The project was funded by Construct Innovate and supported by the Land Development Agency. The publication also drew on the expertise of biodiversity and built environment specialists, including Susan Vickers, alongside contributors from the IGBC team and a multidisciplinary steering group representing industry, government and environmental organisations.
The case studies were developed in collaboration with more than 20 organisations from across Ireland’s construction, housing, planning and environmental sectors. Contributors included Cairn Homes, Clúid Housing, Glenveagh, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Monaghan County Council, Cork County Council, The Heritage Council, National Biodiversity Data Centre, LAWPRO, Tuath Housing, and many others. Together, these partners have created a valuable resource that showcases proven approaches to integrating biodiversity into the built environment. The publication provides practical inspiration for developers, designers, local authorities and policymakers seeking to embed nature-positive solutions into future projects and support the transition towards more regenerative towns and cities.
Scale of the Challenge
Ireland is facing a significant biodiversity crisis, with many native species and habitats under increasing pressure from urban development, infrastructure projects, land-use change and climate change. While construction is essential to meet national priorities such as housing delivery, transport improvements and economic growth, it can also impact natural ecosystems if biodiversity is not considered throughout the project lifecycle. At the same time, there is growing recognition that the built environment can play a positive role in restoring nature and improving ecological resilience. However, many organisations lack access to practical Irish examples that demonstrate how biodiversity can be successfully integrated into buildings, public spaces and infrastructure. The challenge is therefore not only environmental but also one of knowledge sharing and implementation. By documenting proven approaches from across Ireland, this publication aims to bridge that gap, helping industry professionals, local authorities and policymakers move from ambition to action and deliver development that supports both people and nature.
Key Results
The project resulted in a curated collection of ten high-quality Irish case studies demonstrating practical ways to protect and enhance biodiversity across a range of building typologies and infrastructure projects. Developed through collaboration between industry, local authorities, housing providers, environmental organisations and biodiversity experts, the publication showcases real-world examples of nature-positive design and delivery. The case studies highlight successful measures such as habitat creation, pollinator-friendly landscaping, biodiversity management plans, ecological restoration and nature-based solutions integrated into developments. By bringing these examples together in one accessible resource, the project provides practical guidance and inspiration for the wider construction sector. It also strengthens knowledge exchange between organisations and promotes the adoption of regenerative approaches across future projects. The publication supports Construct Innovate’s mission of accelerating innovation in the built environment while contributing to national biodiversity and sustainability objectives, ultimately helping to create towns and cities that are more resilient, healthier and better connected with nature.
Collaborators
Principal Investigator
Irene Rondini,
Communications Manager / Biodiversity Specialist, Irish Green Building Council
Irene joined the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) in 2019. Working alongside Marion Jammet, Head of Policy & Advocacy, she established the IGBC Biodiversity Team and has contributed to all initiatives related to Biodiversity and the Built Environment, including the IGBC’s Community of Practice, webinars and factsheets. Irene currently manages the BIO-NEIGHBOUR project and led research for the Irish case study catalogue, examples of biodiversity enhancement and protection in different buildings and infrastructure in Ireland. Irene holds a BSc in Natural Sciences, an MSc in Environmental Science, and a Certificate in Digital Marketing.
Marion Jammet
Director of Policy & Advocacy / Biodiversity Lead , Irish Green Building Council
Marion is Director of Policy & Advocacy, and Biodiversity Lead at the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC). In 2022, she set up the biodiversity team at the IGBC, and first organised a series of webinars on this topic, leading to the publication of the IGBC’s Insight on “Biodiversity & the Built Environment” available at: Biodiversity-and-the-Built-Environment_IGBC-1.pdf. Since then, she has managed a number of initiatives on biodiversity in the built environment, including the Construct Innovate’s “Building Regenerative Towns and Cities” project. Marion’s working background is in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and project management. She holds a MA in European Affairs from Sciences-Po (France) and an MSc in environmental sustainability from University College Dublin, and recently completed certificates in “Urban Ecology Design”, and “Landscape and the Natural Environment in Architecture”.
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