The Importance of Bees in Cities: A Commitment to Life Drag

The Importance of Bees in Cities: A Commitment to Life

On May 20, the United Nations celebrates World Bee Day — a reminder of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in food security, sustainable development, and biodiversity.

In the midst of concrete and the fast pace of urban life, bees carry out a silent but vital mission. According to the FAO, pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of around 75% of the world’s food crops and nearly 90% of wild flowering plants. They’re also key to producing medicines, biofuels, and building materials.

Their presence ensures not only our food supply, but also the health of ecosystems — and of ourselves. Yet urban growth and pollution increasingly threaten their survival.

Globally, there are about 20,000 species of bees, with roughly 650 in Costa Rica. However, habitat loss, pesticide use, and the lack of green spaces have caused dramatic declines in their populations. Cities can be safe havens — but only if we take concrete action to protect biodiversity.

At Portafolio Inmobiliario, biodiversity is now a material priority in our 2025–2030 strategy. In recent years, we’ve worked to actively support pollinator conservation through initiatives like pollinator gardens and “bee hotels” for solitary bees — crucial to pollination.

We currently have 12 bee hotels across our projects in Lincoln Plaza, Aleste, Torre Universal, and Avenida Escazú. These are purpose-built shelters that help solitary bees nest and reproduce. Our pollinator gardens not only beautify spaces but also create ecological corridors, sustaining diverse pollinator species and strengthening local biodiversity.

But our commitment doesn’t stop at our own properties. We encourage communities, businesses, and individuals to:

Learn about native bee species.

Plant native flora.

Avoid harmful chemicals.

Protecting bees is protecting life itself. Every action counts in building greener, healthier, and more resilient cities.