Cities today face a combination of global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and rapid urbanization. While urban areas disrupt natural ecosystems, they also hold untapped potential for biodiversity due to their lower management intensity compared to agricultural land. At the same time, the built environment is one of the largest contributors to global biodiversity loss, underscoring the urgent need to integrate nature into cities. Retrofitting existing buildings with nature-based solutions (NBS) offers a more sustainable alternative to demolition and reconstruction, particularly in densely built environments. Among NBS, Vertical Greening Systems (VGS) offer high spatial potential on building envelopes but remain underutilized, partly due to limited knowledge of their biodiversity impact and feasibility on existing buildings. Current methods for assessing structural feasibility are highly detailed and often expensive, therefore not suitable for early design phases. Additionally, VGS suppliers rarely provide insight into biodiversity performance or adaptation to existing structures, complicating system selection.

This thesis addresses the need for a practical framework to support the decision-making of VGS implementation on existing urban office buildings during the feasibility phase of enhancing a building's biodiversity performance. It aims to reduce the knowledge and feasibility gap by structuring the exploration process based on biodiversity indicators, building characteristics and structural potential. The objective is reflected in the main research question:
"How can a framework be developed to support decision-making on the feasibility and selection of VGS for existing Dutch office buildings aiming to enhance urban biodiversity?"

To answer the main research question, a multidisciplinary research approach was applied, structured around four core components of the developed framework. First, an exploratory literature review was conducted to classify VGS based on key distinctive physical features. This typology serves as a foundation for the entire study. Second, the biodiversity performance of the classified VGS types was assessed through a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA). Biodiversity indicators were derived from empirical literature and weighted based on the preferences of selected animal groups acting as ecological stakeholders. This resulted in a relative biodiversity ranking of VGS types. Third, a set of building indicators was developed by analyzing the key features of the VGS types and linking them to architectural characteristics commonly found in Dutch office buildings constructed between 1960 and 1990. This resulted in the definition of four representative building typologies to support suitability assessments. Fourth, the structural feasibility of VGS was addressed by analyzing Dutch design guidelines for existing concrete structures and validating a simplified estimation method for excess capacity in facade-supporting slabs and beams, using a parameter study. These steps together form the basis of the framework that supports VGS selection during the feasibility phase. Finally, the framework is verified through an illustrative case study.

The findings of this thesis show that all VGS types included in the study contribute to urban biodiversity, although to varying extents depending on their physical characteristics. The indicators most relevant to biodiversity performance are plant coverage, plant diversity, substrate size and substrate orientation. For assessing VGS suitability, building height, shape, facade geometry, glass percentage and facade type proved to be key characteristics. While the framework enables general recommendations based on these factors, detailed assessments remain necessary for project-specific implementation. Furthermore, the parameter study validates the use of excess capacity factors as a viable method for estimating structural feasibility in early phases, although some outliers from the parameter study have been translated into practical warnings for the framework. These are mainly related to the design of shear reinforcement and the calculation of its resistance, as this approach has evolved significantly over the years.

The resulting framework enables users to explore the implementation of VGS during the feasibility phase of enhancing a building’s biodiversity performance. By relying on basic, broadly applicable parameters, it remains adaptable to a wide range of office buildings, while still offering structured guidance on the feasibility of different VGS types. The framework is built around the expected level of structural knowledge available in the feasibility phase and provides, for each level, either a graph or a formula to estimate structural excess capacity. This estimate can then be compared to the weight ranges identified for the different VGS types, offering insight into their structural feasibility. Based on the building’s exterior, relevant characteristics can be derived that allow the building to be classified within one of the predefined office building typologies. These same characteristics are used to identify VGS recommendations for each typology. By combining the structurally feasible options, the architecturally suitable systems, and the biodiversity ranking, the framework supports well-informed decision-making for both the feasibility and selection of VGS implementation. Its application to a hypothetical case demonstrates that the framework functions as intended. Future application to real-world buildings would further validate its robustness and enhance its relevance for practical use, especially for architects, engineers, and municipalities seeking to green the urban environment.

This design report presents the outcomes of a multidisciplinary project undertaken by a team with diverse backgrounds in civil engineering. The project focuses on a preliminary design for a new marina in San Antonio Este, Argentina, with the purpose of serving as a recreational spot and a terminal for a nautical connection to San Antonio Oeste. Recreational activities include whale watching and swimming with sea lions. Sustainability is a key guiding principle, aiming to blend the marina with the natural environment and add value to the region. The report starts with an introduction outlining the project’s background, goals, and scope, followed by a detailed methodology for the design process. The area study section highlights the environmental and hydrometeorological conditions of the project location, emphasizing the challenges posed by a significant tidal range. It also discusses the choice of a water bus stop location in San Antonio Oeste and provides recommendations for further data collection and development. The design stage presents the chosen preliminary design, detailing the pier, floating pontoon, gangway, mooring field, and boat ramp. Finally, the need is noted for more precise data, environmental assessments, and geotechnical investigations to improve the design.