Bratislava, the heart of Slovakia and one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, attracts thousands of tourists every year with its unique atmosphere, rich history and picturesque views. However, like many other cities in the world, it is feeling the merciless consequences of global climate change. Scientists and residents are concerned about the gradual rise in average temperature and the increase in the average amount of precipitation.
Local scientists and meteorologists are sounding the alarm. According to their observations, Bratislava is experiencing a gradual rise in the average annual temperature and an increase in the amount of precipitation. These changes are already noticeable in the city’s everyday life. According to forecasts, the situation will only worsen: climate change will become even more tangible due to a significant rise in the average temperature across the whole country.
The renovation of Independence Square is one example of Bratislava’s adaptation to these climate challenges. But the most important question is whether the necessary measures can be taken in time to reduce the impact of these changes on the city.
Given such negative changes, groups of concerned citizens in Bratislava decided to do their utmost to reduce the adverse impact of climate change on their city. A vivid example of implementing nature-based measures is the creation of new green zones. This not only improves the city’s appearance but also helps cool the air, absorb carbon dioxide and improve soil drainage during heavy rainfall.
These initiatives show that Bratislava is actively seeking ways to preserve its unique beauty and comfort for residents and guests, adapting to the challenges of the modern world.
In 2021, the borough of Petržalka, one of the most densely populated districts of Bratislava, implemented a large-scale project to reconstruct Independence Square. The place chosen for the renovation was a notable and ancient landmark of the city – Freedom Square (Námestie Slobody). It is located in the central part of Bratislava and was created in the 17th century. Aiming to turn the square into a modern green space for recreation and to make a positive contribution to reducing the consequences of climate change, the organisers turned their goals into reality, starting with a visual change of the area and ending with the creation of an effective water intake and irrigation system. They also additionally created recreation areas for residents of all ages: modern playgrounds for children, comfortable benches and rest areas for adults.
Such projects not only make the city more comfortable and attractive but also demonstrate how even small steps can help in the fight against climate change. Let us take a closer look at how the idea was born and how the organisers managed to bring it to life.
How the idea emerged
It all began with the plan to renew the alley on Independence Square. Before the reconstruction the place was neglected, which significantly reduced its attractiveness and functionality for the district’s residents; there was also an old fountain there, which stopped working in 2007. The cost of restoring the fountain alone was estimated at a full €1 million!
In the end the organisers set themselves a goal: to adapt the square to climate change and reduce its impact on the city. To achieve this, they defined two main areas of work:
- Increasing plant cover. This would help lower the temperature on the streets and create a more comfortable space in the heat.
- Using resilient plant species. For the square, plants were chosen that can withstand drought, fire and pests and adapt better to climate change.
Overall, during the implementation of the project the aim was to create a green corner in the city centre that would not only please the eye of passers-by but also serve as an example of sustainable urban development.
Planning and implementation
The most important task of the organisers and implementers was to identify and take the right measures to soften the negative consequences of climate change, which was not easy and required maximum planning and involvement. An equally important question that arose during planning was: “How can rainwater be used wisely, not only to conserve it but also to put it to sensible use, for example to water plants in the heat?”
An additional goal was to de-seal the space, replacing the old asphalt with ecological plantings. Even such ambitious goals did not stop the developers in their aspiration to make the project even larger in scale. They also planned to improve citizens’ quality of life by creating recreation areas where everyone – from the youngest to the oldest – could spend time in the fresh air.
The implementation of the project in line with the set goals was divided into several carefully considered stages:
- Phase one: felling old and diseased trees and removing their root systems. This made it possible to free up space to plant new plants and trees, as well as to create recreational areas for residents and guests of the city.
- Phase two: building and arranging these zones. The pipeline of the old fountain was also repaired, and water-retention systems were built to help avoid drought and keep the plants in good condition.
But an equally important question is: where did they plan to get the funds for this undertaking?
Project funding
To implement this labour-intensive project, Bratislava received funding from the “Grants of the European Economic Area and Norway” twice, for projects aimed at adapting the city to climate change. The two projects targeted precisely the problems that the organisers wanted to solve by redeveloping the square: to increase the city’s resilience to negative climate impacts and to modernise public spaces in order to increase energy efficiency and improve the absorption of rainwater.
In total, the cost of the project was approximately €3.4 million, of which €2.4 million was received under the European Economic Area grants. The rest of the amount was provided by the Bratislava city administration and the Nové Mesto and Petržalka districts. The budget was distributed among the partners according to their contribution to the sub-projects and management tasks.
In addition to funding, a significant contribution to creating the square was made by public authorities, which provided workers to implement the project.
Project monitoring
This example demonstrates how an inconspicuous and neglected corner in the very centre of the capital can be turned into a new, cosy area. It will not only bring long-term benefits but also become a showcase example of how, thanks to desire, motivation and clear goals, humanity is able to change the future of an entire city.
Did it really bring the expected benefits, as its developers anticipated?
Based on the project’s monitoring data, an improvement in the microclimate was recorded thanks to the increase in the area of green plantings. This, in turn, led to other positive changes, in particular to an improvement in air quality and an increase in biodiversity.
If we compare the results with the additional goals – the recreation area created – the organisers’ plan had a significant impact on the city’s environment and society, increasing overall well-being and improving residents’ lives.
As for the financial benefits, they are difficult to assess in direct monetary terms, since the main goal of the project was non-commercial activity. However, financial benefits can be seen, for example, in the reduction of damage caused by floods in the event of heavy rainfall.
Finally, let us add that cooperation between the project partners and the exchange of experience and knowledge gained during implementation create the basis for future initiatives and the introduction of new action plans to reduce the negative impact of climate change.