Biodiversity has become a central part of SATO's sustainability work

Urban construction efficiency and safeguarding biodiversity often seem at odds. In recent years, however, the real estate and construction sectors have begun to explore whether these targets could, in fact, be aligned. SATO incorporated biodiversity promotion into its sustainability programme back in 2022 – at a time when the topic was only just starting to appear on the industry’s agenda.

“We wanted to focus on biodiversity early on and understand where we stand and how we can truly make a difference. We began with a comprehensive materiality analysis and an assessment of our current state. A wide group of SATO employees, residents and other stakeholders participated in the work,” says Susanna Kari González, SATO's Sustainability Manager.

SATO published its first biodiversity roadmap in 2023. “Our goal was to make the roadmap as concrete and organisation-wide as possible – and I think we achieved that very well. The response has been enthusiastic, and several colleagues working on SATO properties have already taken initiative, for example by suggesting pilot meadow sites in their areas,” Kari González continues.

Biodiversity is still not a given in the property sector, but it is gradually becoming an important theme – and its significance is only growing. While housing construction projects at SATO are currently on hold, the updated property design guidelines introduced this year are set to support biodiversity from the earliest planning stages once building resumes.

“In addition to property design guidelines, biodiversity perspectives have been integrated into SATO’s renovation and maintenance instructions. This ensures that nature is considered in all our activities,” Kari González explains. “There are not yet widely established models for this type of guidance in the industry, but we’ve approached the work with an open mind,” she adds.

Alongside updates to internal guidelines, SATO has organised biodiversity training and info sessions for its staff. Residents of SATOhomes have also been informed about the role of nature in everyday living environments – for example through signage and information bulletins.

Learning from pilot projects

At the moment, the plans outlined in SATO’s biodiversity roadmap are being put into practice at pilot sites. These sites are used to test and develop practical approaches, such as introducing meadows and planting berry bushes.

At Linnanpellonkuja in Mellunpuisto, for example, the first flowers have started to bloom in a meadow strip within the courtyard. A nearby sign informs residents about the importance of the habitat for pollinators.

“I used to think a block’s courtyard had to be pristine and the lawn perfectly cut. But that’s not what’s best for biodiversity,” says Ari Suhonen, Property Manager at the Linnanpellonkuja site.

“To promote biodiversity, we can introduce protective vegetation, flowering plants for pollinators, and deadwood that supports insects and other small animals.”

Seventeen different plant species have been planted in the meadow area at Linnanpellonkuja this spring, including goldenrod, oxeye daisy, and autumn hawkbit, to ensure flowering throughout the summer and to provide food for pollinators. Berry bushes will also be added to the courtyard.

These trials are being carried out on a small scale to allow for shared learning – which plants thrive and how residents respond to the meadow areas.

“We can’t change everything at once, but we can take small, well-planned steps forward. As we learn more, we can expand the pilot projects to new sites and involve residents in biodiversity efforts,” Suhonen concludes.

Planning helps preserve nature values

“Biodiversity cannot be safeguarded without careful planning. Nature-based solutions can be integrated even into dense urban environments, bringing many benefits,” says Kari González.

“For example, when natural stormwater management and layered vegetation are considered from the design phase, the result is more functional and more sustainable solutions.”

One of the core principles in SATO’s nature work is that no action or green space is too small to matter: even a single insect hotel, birdhouse or meadow can help support the broader ecological network of the urban environment.

Nature elements are not viewed in isolation but as part of a larger system – one that relates to land use, natural resources and climate impacts.

“It’s time for the construction sector to make nature part of everything – not just an optional extra,” Kari González emphasises. “That means recognising impacts, systematically including nature in guidance and practice, and actively engaging in dialogue with residents and other stakeholders,” she summarises.

The work for biodiversity is not a one-off effort but a continuous process – and the next step is already in sight. SATO will update its biodiversity roadmap again in 2026, with the aim of using insights gained from this year’s pilot projects and hands-on trials to take the work even further.

Did you know that biodiversity can be promoted in built environments in many different ways?

• Establishing meadows, removing invasive species and planting native vegetation to support pollinators and other wildlife

• Leaving standing and fallen deadwood and tree stumps in courtyards to create habitats for insects and birds

• Installing insect hotels and birdhouses to provide nesting spaces

• Building green roofs and walls that improve air quality, cool buildings, and create new habitats

• Preventing flooding naturally by delaying stormwater in depressions and infiltration areas

• Locating snow storage areas so that meltwater can seep into the ground without overloading the sewer network