Bee-friendly and good for the microclimate: First bus shelter in Bamberg with green roof installed

In the next few years, the Bamberg municipal utility intends to install almost three dozen more shelters in the inner city area, thus contributing to the preservation of biodiversity, the improvement of the microclimate in the inner city and against the sealing of surfaces.

"There are circa 50 bus stops with older bus shelters in the Bamberg route network. We will renew these over the next five years and equip half of them with green roofs. The focus here is on inner-city locations, i.e. where there is a lack of "greenery." Since each roof is around seven square meters in size, the total is around 230 square meters," explains Peter Scheuenstuhl, head of traffic operations.

The plants are sedum plants, which are particularly popular with bees and other insects and provide them with an additional food supply. Rain is not simply discharged into the sewage system but is absorbed by the soil substrate. In the process, the roof absorbs 180 liters of water and releases it to the plants. 50 to 70 percent of the moisture is in turn evaporated by the plants, improving the microclimate of the immediate surroundings. In addition, the leaves filter fine dust. And last but not least, when the sun shines, it stays cooler under the insulated roof.

"I very much welcome this initiative by our municipal utilities. Sure, you don't immediately save the world with it in terms of species extinction. But we need many, supposedly small measures. Every extra green roof in the city creates habitat for insects, acts like a sponge in the rain and provides cooling in the heat. I would be very pleased if it would inspire imitation, for example on garages or house roofs," says Mayor Jonas Glüsenkamp.

Alexander Stotz, Chairman of the Management Board of DSM Deutsche Städte Medien GmbH and CEO Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH, explains the reasons for the company's commitment to green roofs: "Ströer triggers local, sustainable change with smart communication and infrastructure solutions. The aim is to support cities in resilient, environmentally friendly urban development. Greening concepts are part of Ströer's sustainability strategy and our municipal cooperation."

Source/Picture: Stadtwerke Bamberg