Building Biodiversity - Episode 55 | Lloyd Collins and Alexa Culver

Construction Disrupted

In an era of rapid urbanisation, the importance of integrating nature into our cities has never been more critical. As concrete jungles expand, the delicate balance between urban development and the natural environment faces unprecedented challenges. Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is essential for maintaining the health of ecosystems and supporting human life. However, urban expansion often comes at the cost of habitat loss, fragmented ecosystems, and declining species diversity.

Building biodiversity within urban landscapes is not just about preserving green spaces; it’s about creating a harmonious coexistence between human habitats and the natural world. This approach enhances the resilience of cities, improves the quality of life for residents, and ensures that urban areas contribute positively to the planet’s ecological health. As cities continue to grow, the integration of biodiversity principles into urban planning and development becomes a cornerstone for sustainable and livable environments. The conversation around nurturing nature in our urban landscapes is vital for the future.

To dig a little deeper into this we need to chat with not one but two experts in the biodiversity field - Lloyd Collins and Alexa Culver.

Lloyd works within Environment Bank’s BNG Advisory and Delivery Team as an Account Director in Planning and Delivery, working closely with Environment Bank's developer clients to guide land and planning directors and their consultants through the often high-stakes BNG aspects of the planning process. Lloyd has many years of experience in the private sector and is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), an Associate Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and holds a BSc (Hons) / MPlan in Urban Planning, currently studying for an MSc in Sustainable Development.

Alexa is General Counsel at Environment Bank, a Member of the College of Experts for the Office for Environmental Protection and recognised in the ENDS Report Power List as one of the most impactful environmental lawyers of 2023. As a lawyer with over 16 years’ experience working on land, planning, environmental and green finance projects, Alexa helps to inform policy developments in natural capital regulation and designs legal contracts, leases and conservation covenants that maximise natural capital value through novel and enduring financial and governance mechanisms.

Listen Up and Learn About

- Why Biodiversity is so Important

- Implementing Biodiversity in Urban Planning

- Sustainability Leadership in the Construction Sector

- Integrating Biodiversity into Commercial and Residential Developments

- The Future of Sustainable Development

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-biodiversity-net-gain#:~:text=In%20England%2C%20BNG%20is%20mandatory,than%20there%20was%20before%20development.

https://iucn.org/story/202305/embracing-biodiversity-paving-way-nature-inclusive-cities

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2021/08/25/the-construction-industry-is-getting-greener-why-how-and-whats-changing/#:~:text=The%20industry%20recognizes%20the%20need,to%20meeting%20their%20sustainability%20goals.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2021/08/25/the-construction-industry-is-getting-greener-why-how-and-whats-changing/#:~:text=The%20industry%20recognizes%20the%20need,to%20meeting%20their%20sustainability%20goals.

https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals/property-journal/the-impact-of-biodiversity-uplift-on-development-.html