Krakow and Belgium will be united by rain gardens. An agreement with Leuven as part of the PACT project has been signed.
Krakow, Leuven and Madrid have decided to introduce proven, highly rated and popular environmentally friendly solutions. The agreement signed on 15 April by the Mayor of Krakow describes the principles of cooperation between the partner cities. It is a pioneering method of resident participation in city planning and offers the prospect of obtaining €400,000 from the European Commission for the implementation of a number of nature-based solutions (NBS) initiatives.
The goal of the Climate-Energy-Water Management unit for the coming years is to adapt to climate change by, among other things, implementing NBS solutions in Krakow. These may include rain gardens, open-work car parks, climbing plants on building facades or green roofs. What was not so long ago seen as revolutionary is now the implementation of proven solutions from the European capital of innovation – Leuven – on home soil. Such inspiring measures, proven by our western neighbours and highly rated, are set to become the norm in the long term.
The construction of rain gardens and the restoration of natural retention are the right response to the challenges and needs associated with the climate and environmental crisis, the pandemic, and growing public awareness of the need to participate in changing the city. By expanding green-blue infrastructure, we are helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Krakow, in partnership with Leuven, Belgium, will receive EUR 400,000 in EU funding. It should be noted that Krakow's efforts to participate in the project began on 6 October 2020, when the municipal unit Climate-Energy-Water Management, through the city of Leuven, concluded an industry cooperation agreement on this subject and submitted application documents for the People-Driven: Adapting Cities for Tomorrow (PACT) project in a competition organised as part of LIFE Climate Change Adaptation. With regard to Krakow, the framework assumptions of the project covered by the application provide for measures to promote environmentally friendly solutions in the field of blue-green infrastructure and the implementation of investment tasks related to this infrastructure.
Our Belgian partner is already working on innovative solutions aimed at mitigating the effects of global warming. Leuven has obtained additional funding from the European Union for so-called climate change adaptation measures. Plans include replacing pavements with greenery to improve rainwater drainage, planting trees and shrubs, and demolishing underground channels and replacing them with open ones to provide better cooling during heat waves. Leuven also has an increasing number of green roofs and flower meadows. The city is committed to an integrated water policy. There are plans to build 23 water collection points for residents during droughts.
In summary, as part of the four-year project, Leuven will work closely with residents, stakeholders, research institutions and international partners to implement nature-inspired changes. Later, the best solutions and methods of implementation will be transferred to Krakow. The aim is not only to obtain adaptation funds to combat climate change, but above all to improve participation with residents. Proposals changes, solutions and locations are to come from the residents of Krakow.
