DR. D. Y.

PATIL COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, AKURDI

ELECTIVE-II

REPORT ON

ADVANCED LANDSCAPE

AVIAN HABITAT
ACADEMIC YEAR
2018- 19
TERM VII

Faculty Incharge :
Ar. Vaidehi lavand

Submitted By:
Name: Prafull Raut
Roll no: 06
Class: Fourth year (C)
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INDEX:

1. Synopsis ……………………………………………………………………………. 3
I. Aim
II. Objectives
III. Research question
IV. Methodology
2. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….4
3. Need of research ………………………………………………………………..5
4. Literature review ………………………………………………………………..6
5. Case studies ………………………………………………………………………. 13
6. Case study analysis ……………………………………………………………..15
7. Proposed design project ……………………………………………………. 16
8. Conclusions ……………………………………………………………………….. 20
9. References ………………………………………………………………….…….. 21

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1. SYNOPSIS:
I. AIM: Designing for the birds to preserve avian habitat.

II. OBJECTIVES:

1) Rare and endangered species of birds due to wireless connections like mobile phones.

2) Major absence of birds in public areas like streets, pathways, parks, gardens etc.

3) Disturbance in nature cycle.

III. RESEARCH QUESTION: What all possibilities are there to create spaces for avian
habitat?

IV. METHODOLOGY: The method adopted is a literature study of different types of birds’
nests and a few species habitats to understand how they can be adapted and integrated
in buildings. Methods to create natural habitats in urban landscaping, and to make
green roofs habitable for wildlife is studied. The threats faced by birds in urban settings
leading to their mortality are studied and solutions for the same are proposed.
During the same, case studies of several nearby natural areas, such as parks and wildlife
sanctuaries are accounted. Study of the structure and makeup of the local bird habitat.
Study of favourable plants. Study of various articles.

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2. INTRODUCTION:
Nowadays, most of the bird species have become rare and endangered. In order to make them
comfortable to concrete jungle I would like to provide creative spaces. Streets can be designed
in a way that birds can find their habitat there easily. Public spaces such as gardens, clubs can
also be designed so that visitors can have a look over them and also their shriek can attract the
visitors. Some nearby live case studies and book case studies are to be taken into account to
make some additional creative spaces for the birds.
Birds are very important ecological indicators to understand the quality of habitats. Present
status of bird diversity has been decreasing due to the destruction of natural habitats and
anthropogenic activities. The destruction of different types of habitats by cutting food provider
trees and foraging plants for households use of woods and required lands for residential
purposes are the main factors responsible for lower down in bird foraging habitat and their
nesting sites.
The process of urbanization removes, fragments and isolates natural vegetation, replacing it
with roads and buildings and it introduces exotic plants, predators and competitors to the
native wildlife. The result is typically a landscape vastly different from the original, with the
original vegetation often surviving only in small pockets scattered throughout the city.
The expansion of urban landscapes is happening at an accelerated rate. By the year 2050, two-
thirds of the human population will live in cities, and about 60% of all the infrastructure
intended to improve cities by 2030 has yet to be built. The replacement of natural habitats by
artificial elements—such as houses, buildings and streets—leads to disturbances and negative
impacts on different biological habitats. The maintenance of large trees, increasing street tree
richness and planting of a larger amount of native tree species are management practices able
to increase urban biodiversity and ecosystem functionality within the urban matrix.
Traffic volume and the number of vehicles traveling on an adjacent road could also affect birds
in roadside habitats.These all problems are faced by street side avian habitats. In order to make
them comfortable with the concrete jungle some design strategies are covered under design.

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3. NEED OF RESEARCH:
For many people, birds and nature have intrinsic worth. Birds have been important to humans
throughout history, often used to symbolize cultural values such as peace, freedom, and
fidelity. In addition to the pleasure they can bring to people, we depend on them for critical
ecological functions. Birds consume vast quantities of insects, and control rodent populations,
reducing damage to crops and forests, and helping limit the transmission of diseases such as
west Nile virus, dengue fever, and malaria.
Birds play a vital role in regenerating habitats by pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. Birds
are also a vast economic resource. According to the U.S. fish and wildlife service, bird watching
is one of the fastest growing leisure activities in North America, and a multi-billion-dollar
industry.
Humans have exploited birds for a very long time, and sometimes this exploitation has resulted
in extinction. Overhunting occurred in some instances with a naive species unfamiliar with
humans, in other cases it was an industrial level of hunting that led to extinction. The passenger
pigeon was once the most numerous species of bird alive (possibly ever), overhunting reduced
a species that once numbered in the billions to extinction. Hunting pressure can be for food,
sport, feathers, or even come from scientists collecting museum specimens.
Birds face a number of other threats. Pollution has led to serious declines in some species. Birds
are also threatened by high rise buildings, communications towers, and wind farms.

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4. LITERATURE REVIEW:
Landscape context mediates avian habitat choice in tropical forest restoration:
This article is giving us a detail study how bird’s habitat should be and what is the current
condition of the same. It is written by a group of three professors- J.Leighton Reid,Chase D.
Mendenhall,J. Abel Rosals. (J. Leighton Reid, 2014)

Biodiversity and Bird Friendly Design in Urban Areas for Sustainable Living:
Birds in urban areas are indicators of biodiversity. This paper explores ways of developing a
style of architecture that provides spaces for various species of birds, as part of the built and
un-built areas in cities.
The outcome is a set of recommendations that can be adapted and used in cities and buildings
to make them inviting and also safe for vegetation and wildlife. Avoid fragmentation in city
design. Cluster designs give a better solution. Open spaces can come together and they should
be connected through a green network. Urban landscapes in parks, campuses, large gardens,
road side avenues and medians should follow a semi rustic pattern. All new buildings and old
buildings where retrofitting is possible, should have roof gardens which follow a semi rustic
environment. Compound walls, Balconies, verandahs and sit outs can be provided with holes
for cavity nests or hooks for pendant nests. Projecting decorative elements provide space for
platform nests. Courtyards and atria with greenery can be given in buildings which are
accessible to birds. Use of plain transparent and reflective glass should be avoided. They can be
used with narrow patterns, netting etc. Artificial lighting in open spaces should be just enough
for use, avoid light spilling, and preferably use down lighting. In a rapidly urbanizinJModern
world, ensuring biodiversity in cities is one of the primary responsibilities of the urban designer
and the architect. Following the recommendations in the paper is a step towards this direction.
(Surya, 2011)

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Bird feeders and nests

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Green Roofs

Figure 1. Green roofs can mimic natural habitats by varying substrate depth and
introducing habitat elements.

Figure 2. Various habitat features on green roofs.

 Application/Improvements: In many developing countries legislation and guidelines are

in effect to protect the biodiversity, but in our country they are lacking along with
proper documentations regarding species diversity, mortality etc. Some of the outcome
of the paper can help formulate guidelines in this direction.

Figure 3. Cavity nests and their adaptations.

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 Figure 4. Various nest types: Cavity, cup, Platforms, Pendant and Ground.

Figure 5. (a)Compound wall detail with bottles help cavity nesting (b)Drain pipe as a nest
(c)Nesting tiles-custom made.

Figure 6. Attic space acting as nesting place.

Figure 7. Cup nests, adaptations and providing space for cup nests.

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Figure 8. Platforms for nests and hooks for pendant nests.

Figure 9. (a)Ground nesting birds nest on ground roofs (b)Patio with greenery connects people
more to nature. Also the leftover food from dining can be given to birds. (Surya, 2011)

Avian-habitat relationships:
The main goal of making this research paper is to identify how bird survey data collected along
the Yellowstone River can best be used to inform future Yellowstone River Conservation District
Council Cumulative Effects analyses.
These analyses focus on describing the potential impacts of land use management along the
Yellowstone River on avian communities.
The specific objectives of this study were to conduct a literature review to identify relationships
between riparian birds and habitat resources, focusing on vegetated margins, adjacent fields,
and bridges, and other structures located over or near water.
This study gives a detail account about how an avian habitat can be affected near water bodies
or how it is going to be designed so accordingly. (Danielle Jones, 2014)

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Assessment of avian habitat in different regions with its results:
A list of 120 bird species reported from different habitats around Amolakchand Mahavidyalaya
campus.The main reason is rhythmically availability of food, healthy ecological suitable place
for nesting and breeding in Amolakchand campus and forest nursery.
From the study I concluded that in order to attract more and more avifauna to study area, we
should plant all season varieties of fruiting trees and flowering plants and also artificial nesting
sites to birds.

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The habitat use and requirements of birds in changing landscapes:
‘Birds and Habitat Relationships in changing landscapes’ by Robert J. Fuller is a book of valuable
review of current understanding of how land and water birds select foraging, nesting, and
migratory habitat in a region with a history of human land use reaching back eons.
The successful conservation of bird species relies upon our understanding of their habitat use
and requirements. This book provides the first major review of avian habitat selection in over
twenty years. It offers a synthesis of concepts, patterns and issues that will create interest in
students, researchers and conservation practitioners. Spatial scales ranging from landscape to
habitat patch are covered, and examples of responses to habitat change are examined.
European landscapes are the main focus, but the book has far wider significance to similar
habitats worldwide, with examples and relevant material also drawn from North America and
Australia. (Fuller, 2012)

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5. CASE STUDIES:

Live case study- The streetscapes of JM Road, Pune are designed for sitting purpose but at the
same time it becomes a venue for birds as a habitat. The roamers enjoy their shriek/tweet. This
thing keeps us connected to the nature and teach us that everyone in this world can has right to
create their habitat where they want and roam around there.

Pictures JM Road,Pune.

Net case study- Sarah Sze's Bird Feeder Art at High Line Park Phase 2:

Pictures of Sarah Sze’s Bird Feeder Art showing us how looks it

actually.

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Sarah Sze (b. 1969) created this sculpture called "Still Life with Landscape (Model for a
Habitat)," 2011 for the second phase of the abandoned railway-turned elevated park called the
High Line. Made of stainless steel, wood, paint and concrete, the sculpture has elements that
provide amenities such as shelter, food and water for birds, butterflies and insects. The artwork
caption states that this sculpture is a "model of an observatory, a laboratory and an avian
metropolis, evoking urban construction, architectural and scientific experiments, and an
attempt to capture nature in situ." The functional artwork also follows the stronJMovement
trajectory of the High Line. Visually, it mimics the vanishing point of the elevated park, like a
three-dimensional perspective drawing. (Sze, 2011)

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6. CASE STUDY ANALYSIS:

Name of case study/ 1. Live case study- 2. Net case study- Proposal
Sarah Sze's Bird
Parameters The streetscapes of
Feeder Art
JM Road
Location JM Road Pune, Adjacent to
High Line Park Phase
Maharashtra, India Sundarabai
2, New York.
Khandelwal Tower,
Akola, Maharashtra.

Material used  Concrete, steel, Stainless steel, wood, Wood, stainless steel,
paving bricks, wood, paint and concrete concrete, paving
Common Burnt Clay blocks, Common
Bricks. Burnt Clay Bricks.

Analysis The pergolas over the The sculpture has The proposal I have
seating provide elements that provide given is totally based
shelter, food for birds amenities such as on my study. The
and near compound shelter, food and total design is
wall feeders are water for birds, according to their
provided. butterflies and basic comfort and
Due to the small insects. needs. Nowadays,
habitat of birds It’s an attempt to the conditions of
created over there, a capture nature in situ. avian habitat in urban
vision of people The sculpture is well areas are been taken
changed towards the designed according to into account while
J M road. the elevation of park making the proposal.
Even seating has got a where it vanishes. More we think about
natural feel so the nature, more it cares
roamers enjoy while about us and bird is a
passing through it crucial part of
ecology, it also
balances the nature
cycle.

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7. PROPOSED DESIGN PROJECT:
Site Selection:
Location: The site is located adjacent to Sundarabai Khandelwal Tower, Akola,
Maharashtra.

The city of Akola is located in the

north central part of Maharashtra
state, western India, on the banks
of Morna River and it is an
important district in Vidarbha
region of Maharashtra State.
Although not much of a tourist
destination, it still is an important
historical, cultural, political,
agricultural city. The place is a
prominent road and rail junction
in the Tapti River valley; which is a
commercial trading center chiefly Sundarabai Khandelwal Tower, Akola.
in cotton. Akola is called the Cotton City; it is one of the largest cotton-producing
districts in central India. This is a city in Vidarbha region in the state of Maharashtra in
central India. It is the 3rd largest city in Vidarbha after Nagpur and Amravati, situated
about 290 miles (580 km) east of the state capital Mumbai and 140 miles (250 km) west
of the second capital Nagpur.

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 Nearby Places:
 shastri Stadium 0.1 km
 Gandhi Udyan 0.2 km
 New Cloth Market 0.3 km
 Open Air Theatre 0.4 km
 Mount Carmel high school 0.5 km
 Veterinary Polyclinic Akola 0.7 km
 Kirana Market 0.7 km
 hospital 0.8 km
 S R Mills 1 km
 Firdous colony (Gulshan colony) 1.2 km

Location Map: The highlighted part in the map below is the proposed site
located adjacent to Sundarbai Khandelwal Tower,Akola.

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 Design Brief:
Streets and market places which were formerly a part of the urban pattern used to
provide nesting spaces as well as feed for birds. But these are rarely seen in modern
cities, leading to a considerable decrease in the urban bird population. A rustic semi-
wild corner with shrubbery, piles of loose stones in small heaps or demarcating walls
with holes and gaps create a habitat for small animals like insects and lizards, which
birds can feed on.
In a rapidly urbanizing Modern world, ensuring biodiversity in cities is one of the
primary responsibilities of the urban designer and the architect. This is a difficult job, as
it does not give any direct compensation to the professional, and the resistance they
might face will be large as humans- the clients- prefer to keep cities and houses and
gardens clean and manicured. Nevertheless, with effort, the architect can introduce
elements and features in design which will encourage species diversity of birds, which
will not be in conflict with the clients’ desires. Also the urban designer and architect can
be careful about the areas in which they build, to ensure that the existing species
presence is protected as much as possible.

Aim: To design Avian Habitat as a streetscape.

Requirements:
 Design to be bird friendly, it should focus on spaces which will be friendly to the weaker
bird species.
 Design should be free from human interference.
 Feeders for birds should be provided in an appropriate manner.
 Migratory birds should be considered while designing.
 Creating a wildlife-friendly area does not mean that the planting scheme needs to be
devoid of aesthetics. The arrangement could accommodate designs which look good
and at the same time serves to attract wildlife.

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 Avoid fragmentation.
 Use of plain transparent and reflective glass should be avoided.
 Follow legislation and guidelines to protect biodiversity.
 Do not obstruct access for pedestrians and for servicing utilities (e.g. power, water or
phone cables).

Plot Dimensions:

38 M ROAD 25 M WIDE

61 M PLOT 67 M

30 M

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8. CONCLUSIONS:
In a rapidly urbanizing modern world, ensuring biodiversity in cities is one of the primary
responsibilities of the urban designer and the architect. This is a difficult job, as it does
not give any direct compensation to the professional, and the resistance they might face
will be large as humans- the clients- prefer to keep cities and houses and gardens clean
and manicured. Nevertheless, with effort, the architect can introduce elements and
features in design which will encourage species diversity of birds, which will not be in
conflict with the clients’ desires. Also the urban designer and architect can be careful
about the areas in which they build, to ensure that the existing species presence is
protected as much as possible. This is necessary for human wellbeing as well. In many
developing countries legislation and guidelines are in effect to protect the biodiversity,
but in our country they are lacking along with proper documentations regarding species
diversity, mortality etc. Therefore it is high time that responsible professionals take up
the job upon them and proceed with planning and designs which ensure a city design in
harmony with nature and the environment.

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REFERENCES
Danielle Jones, M. A. (2014). AVIAN-HABITAT RELATIONSHIPS: A LITERATURE REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT.
AVIAN-HABITAT RELATIONSHIPS: A LITERATURE REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT , 66.

Fuller, R. J. (2012). Birds and Habitat: Relationships in Changing Landscapes. In R. J. Fuller, Birds and
Habitat: Relationships in Changing Landscapes (p. 542). The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN,
UK: Cambridge University Press.

J. Leighton Reid, C. D. (2014). Special issue- Climate change and health. Landscape Context Mediates
Avian Habitat Choice in Tropical Forest Restoration , 10.

Surya, S. (2011). Indian Journal of Science and Technology. Biodiversity and Bird Friendly Design in Urban
, 7.

Sze, S. (2011, June 21 Tuesday). Retrieved from Sarah Sze's Bird Feeder Art At High Line Park Phase 2:
http://nyclovesnyc.blogspot.com/2011/06/bird-feeder-art-at-high-line-park-phase.html

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