New York has passed a bill that updates the city's building code with requirements to make new glass structures safer for migratory birds.
New York City Council's bill requires the surface of new glass buildings rising 75 feet (23 metres) or more ? approximately seven storeys ? to be patterned to make them more visible to birds.
The legislation, which was passed in a 41-3 vote last week and is set to take effect in December 2020, is intended to reduce the number of migratory birds that die from flying into glass structures.
New York's chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the American Bird Conservancy, and New York City Audubon ? which protects birds in the five boroughs ? all supported the legislation, as reported by CityLab. The bill was initially proposed by Brooklyn council member Rafael Espinal. Bill recommends fritted glass as more bird-friendly
The bill includes a set of bird-friendly design and construction guidelines that advise the use of fritted glass ? which features ceramic lines or dotted marks on the surface. This adaptation would reduce the transparency of clear glass buildings, making them more visible to birds.
Existing glazed towers are not affected by the new mandate but any renovations are required to comply. New structures built on top of a green roof, no matter the height, must meet new requirements.

The legislation follows a growing concern for the safety of migratory birds in the US. The American Bird Conservancy estimated in a study tha...