At Pollenize, we’re passionate about natural beekeeping and its transformative impact in urban settings. Urban beekeeping is the practice of maintaining bees within city environments, enabling us to return to a less industrialised method of honey production by nurturing small-scale colonies that pollinate urban gardens and green spaces.

Throughout the 21st century, urban apiculture has experienced a renaissance and is now widely recognised as a burgeoning trend. Cities such as Paris, Berlin, London, Tokyo, Washington DC, and even Plymouth have embraced modern beekeeping by legalising it in areas where it was previously prohibited.

Intriguingly, research has shown that “city bees” often enjoy better health than their “rural” counterparts. This is because urban areas tend to have reduced pesticide exposure and increased biodiversity. Although urban bees may struggle to find forage, homeowners can contribute to the creation of vital wildlife corridors by planting flowers that offer nectar and pollen to pollinating insects. Establishing a year-round, continuous bloom environment is the key to promoting optimal colony reproduction.

Although humans have been harvesting honey from beehives for millennia, honeybees were only introduced to English colonies in the 1670s. The emergence of supermarkets, fast food, and agribusiness following WWII led to a disconnection between people and their understanding of food sources, including honey.

The urban beekeeping movement was first championed in 1980s Paris when experimental hives atop the renowned Opera Garnier proved highly successful, leading to the birth of a new industry in France. Today, the greater metropolitan Paris area boasts over 3,000 hives, and the practice of urban beekeeping has proliferated worldwide. In recent decades, growing environmental awareness has spurred a renewed interest in sustainable and artisanal food production methods. This shift has driven a revival in urban farming and beekeeping, with urban beekeeping playing a crucial role in making cities and their buildings greener.

In Plymouth, we at Pollenize have established a network of urban apiaries at iconic landmarks throughout the city, many situated on rooftops. Our strategic placement of bee colonies not only amplifies our message of pollinator conservation but also enables us to engage major Plymouth organisations in our efforts to promote sustainability and biodiversity.