Project Mitadapt – Low-carbon Bratislava – Karlova Ves resilient towards climate change adaptation and mitigation approach

The goal of the project was to increase the resilience of the Municipality Bratislava - Karlova Ves to climate change through the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures. The main intention was to reduce the carbon footprint of the Municipality to improve the quality of life, health and overall improvement of living conditions of the population.

- to increase the resilience of the Municipality Bratislava-Karlova Ves (Slovakia) to climate change through the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures
- the main intention was to reduce the carbon footprint of the Municipality to improve the quality of life, health and overall improvement of living conditions of the population
- the project supported the finalization of a detailed Action Plan for climate change mitigation to adapt to its impact
- it was realised the deep green restoration to reduce the energy intensity of two public buildings: Alexander Dubček Primary School and Kindergarten on Kolískova Street 14 in Bratislava - Karlova Ves
- it was opened the Community Climate and Biodiversity Educational Centre in A. Dubček Primary School to increase public awareness of the issue of climate change
- it was revitalized the public space of the “Kaskady Park” is focused on the implementation of water retention measures and planting of greenery with the support of biodiversity in the urban environment

- blue infrastructure - system to collect rainwater from the roofs and surfaces and store it or to infiltrate rainwater; rainwater gardens etc.
- green infrastructure - increase in the share of vegetation (planting trees and shrubs, creating green dividing strips, using alternative types of vegetation etc.)
- grey infrastructure - application of colours and/or reflective surfaces

A Community Climate Educational Centre was established which serves for participatory education and knowledge exchange between experts, representatives of local government and various target groups of citizens.

- Park Kaskady (between H. Meličkova and Kresánkova streets) is unique in Slovak conditions, with an artificial stream flowing through it, which is fed by rainwater from the roofs of surrounding buildings; the rainwater is collected in underground reservoirs
- 10 small insect hotels were installed in the Sports and recreation area Majerníkova
- another 19 nesting boxes were added in Karlova Ves
- 91 trees and 177 shrubs were added in Karlova Ves

The refurbishment of public buildings was done using the following mitigation and adaptation measures:
- sustainable rainwater management – development of a system to collect rainwater from roofs and surfaces and store it or to infiltrate rainwater through different options (bioretention, detention ponds, infiltration zones and trenches etc.)
- use of permeable surfaces of reinforced surfaces,
- increase in the share of vegetation (planting trees and shrubs, creating green dividing strips, using alternative types of vegetation etc.,
- use of different water elements – rainwater garden, etc.,
- pilot application of colours and/or reflective surfaces,
- fostering sustainable mobility.

The project was funded under the "Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation" program (SK-Climate) co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021, Grants from Norway and the state budget of the Slovak Republic. Program Administrator: Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic.
Grant amount: EUR 1 400 000 of which 85% from Norwegian grants (EUR 1 190 000) and 15% from the State Budget of the Slovak Republic (EUR 210.000). Co-financing of the Municipality Bratislava-Karlova Ves: EUR 410.196.

It is appropriate to plan and combine mitigation and adaptation measures and include also biodiversity supporting measures and education especially in the field of renewable energy, nature-based solutions and sustainable rainwater management. This approach has great potential and it is replicable also in other similar residential districts with panel construction in European cities and towns.