MARE Bio-Island – A biodiverse classroom

#miniflorestas

#bosques comestíveis

#permacultura

#Miyawaki

#salas de aula biodiversas

Polar chart of the good practice's contribution to the 17 SDGs. The radius length corresponds to the relative benefit for each SDG.

Stemming from a long-standing desire to transform urban public spaces, the Bioilhas propose converting traditional green spaces into biodiverse ecosystems open for free use by the surrounding community. Rather than a large, barren and exposed space, such as a lawn, the Bioilhas create clearings surrounded by dense vegetation, creating a more inviting, peaceful and comfortable environment for the FCUL campus. Their nickname, ‘biodiverse classrooms’, stems from the need to increase the provision of spaces suitable for outdoor teaching, particularly for the practical study of Biological Sciences. As these are areas of slow and gradual intervention, the Bioislands are designed to enable the co-creation of the ecosystem by all parties involved in the project. Furthermore, they provide an opportunity for students to feel that they are part of the campus’s development and evolution, fostering a sense of responsibility for the spaces they use.