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See all EU institutions and bodiesBy implementing Nature-based Solutions, Poznań is transforming concrete jungles into vibrant green communities and is creating a citywide network of small-scale green spaces, like natural playgrounds and green schoolyards.
Key Learnings
About the Region
Climate Threats
During the last few years, Poznań has experienced hotter summers, with rising average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves. Heatwaves pose a particular risk to vulnerable groups like children. In addition, the high rate of soil sealing, and real estate developments impede ventilation and cooling of the city and result in urban heat islands.
Simultaneously, the city has suffered from progressive droughts, resulting in significant surface water reductions and decreased groundwater retention. Heavy, torrential rain occurs more often, but it only minimally replenishes groundwater. Even though the rain events provide a large amount of rainwater quickly, the water mostly flows off the impermeable urban surfaces instead of infiltrating into groundwater. Furthermore, heavy rain events can cause flash floods and significantly damage urban infrastructure.
Redistributing Green Spaces
Improving the quality of playgrounds and schoolyards
When adapting kindergarten playgrounds and schoolyards to climate change, landscape architects and contractors integrate natural materials in playing and learning facilities and replace artificial surfaces with natural, water-absorbing surfaces. Native plant species enhance biodiversity and natural water retention, provide shade, and reduce noise and pollution.
Such spaces are also great for outdoor education. Children and teachers have daily access to nature, which positively influences their physical and mental health and overall well-being. In the urban environment, playgrounds create valuable “green spots” that complement the “green wedges system” and bring nature closer to schools and neighbourhoods.
The primary funding source for the measures is the city budget, while regional funds support financing the educational-ecological actions. EU funds, such as Integrated Territorial Investments, serve as an additional funding source for incorporating local climate change adaptation measures in projects.
The measures can also have positive economic effects. For example, permeable surfaces, rain gardens, and flowerbeds reduce the pressure on the sewage system as their sponge function can absorb excess water. This saves costs for the schools as overflowing sewage systems are less likely and there is no need to pay the council for repairs or associated issues. As natural schoolyards become more popular, there's an increasing demand for contractors with specialized skills in Nature-based Solutions. This has led to local businesses broadening their expertise and services, as they adapt to meeting the growing demand for sustainable, climate-resilient solutions. Essentially, the push for Nature-based Solutions creates new business opportunities, encouraging contractors to diversify their services and acquire skills increasingly relevant in today's market for climate adaptation.
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Disclaimer
The contents and links to third-party items on this Mission webpage are developed by the MIP4Adapt team led by Ricardo, under contract CINEA/2022/OP/0013/SI2.884597 funded by the European Union and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, CINEA, or those of the European Environment Agency (EEA) as host of the Climate-ADAPT Platform. Neither the European Union nor CINEA nor the EEA accepts responsibility or liability arising out of or in connection with the information on these pages.
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