Honey from a Mall?!
In June, Fashion Arena Prague Outlet, known as the most visited outlet centre in the Czech Republic, installed three beehives in their outdoor premises. It is one of the series of environmental projects through which the centre promotes biodiversity in its surroundings and it thus encourages its customers to behave more environmentally friendly.
The initial intention of all projects leading to the sustainable operation of the centre was to make maximum use of the characteristic feature of the building. That is a circular architectural solution, in the centre of which is located a roofless parking lot. The floor plan allows the centre to be planted with hundreds of different types of plants and trees. The management, therefore, aimed to build a “self-sufficient ecosystem” in which it would try to utilise the centre’s entire natural potential. Everything started with the installation of composters, which are available for all cafes and restaurants at the centre. The composters were followed by a rainwater retention tank.
Moreover, since last year, the administration of the outlet centre has reduced the frequency of mowing the lawns to twice a year, thus contributing to greater soil moisture retention and supporting the natural diversity of plant and animal species. “As part of our activities, we strive to introduce those that have real benefits and impact, and they also contribute to the education of our customers. Initially, we bought three beehives, which we placed in a grassy area next to the employee parking lot. We will take care of them together with our colleagues from the management of the centre, with whom we have also undertaken training courses in beekeeping,” adds Petr Křivonožka, CSR Manager of the Fashion Arena Prague Outlet.
Find out more about Prague at Prague Convention Bureau’s official website.
