Biodiversity
As a central London university, Birkbeck only owns or manages a limited number of small green spaces. However, there is access to several public green spaces around our campus for staff, students and visitors, including Russell Square, Woburn Square, Gordon Square and Tavistock Square, and slightly further away for larger green spaces are Regent's Park and Coram’s Fields.
Our 373 Euston Road site has a small green roof at the north side of the building, covering over 20m2. Following the Covid lockdowns, the rooftop garden is not currently maintained on a regular basis.
The green roof at 373 Euston Road (June 2026)
There is a small allotment space outside the Babylab on Torrington Square. This space is shared between academics and the Students’ Union as of May 2026.
The allotment outside Babylab on Torrington Square (May 2026)
There is a small garden space between 32 and 33 Torrington Square, accessible to users of these buildings (A). We also have a sedum roof at 33 Torrington Square (B), and there is a small rooftop garden at the back of 33 Torrington Square (C). Following the Covid lockdowns, the rooftop garden is not currently maintained on a regular basis.
Satellite image showing the green spaces at 32-33 Torrington Square, from Google Maps
The green roof at 33 Torrington Square (May 2026)
Our targets
- Trial planting of at least one vertical garden outside the Malet Street building by the end of 2030
- Review available space on the Malet Street rooftop terrace and bar area to create a proposal for a new green roof area by the end of 2028
- Revive the green roofs at Euston Road and 32/33 Torrington Square by the end of 2030 and ensure they are maintained consistently on an ongoing basis
- Create a Birkbeck tree inventory summarising what trees we have where on our estate, and details of their health and any known maintenance and other issues, by the end of 2028