The aim of project is to transfer to Polish municipalities Swiss know-how for improving energy efficiency of buildings through setting up gardens on roofs and walls in the framework of local sustainable energy strategy. The project refers to the trends of modernist architecture of 20th century initiated by world-famous Swiss architect Le Corbusier, that is to the concept of gardens grown on rooftops in order to compensate for the loss of green space taken by the building. “Green roofs” and “living walls” will not only contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and to increasing energy efficiency of buildings, but also serve the purpose of improving the retention of rainwater which results in reducing energy consumption of sewage systems and reducing floods. Moreover, implementation of such investments will allow to mitigate the effect of “heat islands” and result in reconstruction of ecosystems (birds, plants, insects).
Project activities:
The measures implemented in the project include:
- development and distribution of educational materials and information , along with the promotional campaign;
- study tour to Switzerland ("a country of green roofs and walls");
- development of a handbook for municipalities on green roofs /living walls;
- two nationwide conferences (launching and closing the project);
- workshops for municipalities on green roofs / living walls;
- Green Roofs’ Days (DZD) in 12 municipalities.
The main results of the project:
During the study tour the participants will learn about achievements of Basel (where about 25% of the roofs’ area is covered with vegetation) and Zurich (where roof orchid plantations and underground estates delight ecologists), and they will learn how to implement such initiatives in their area.
By participating in the project they:
- will acquire the know-how on the innovative idea of green roofs / living walls to be used in sustainable energy management in municipalities;
- receive technical support of Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and Polish Association “Green Roofs” from Wrocław (PSDZ), according to an agreement to continue the collaboration after the end of the project;
- gain knowledge of the Polish SME market relevant to green roofs and living walls sector.
“Green roofs” and “living walls” not only contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and to increasing energy efficiency of buildings, but also serve the purpose of improving the retention of rainwater which results in reducing energy consumption of sewage systems and reducing floods. Moreover, implementation of such investments will allow to mitigate the effect of “heat islands” which is the result of heat emissions from cars, buildings, road surfaces etc. Also important is education about the meaning and the methods of reconstruction of green spaces taken by the buildings, creation of resting places, reconstruction of ecosystems (birds, plants, insects), as well as social demand for the environmentally friendly architecture.
Project duration: May 2012 – May 2014 (24 months)
Co-financing:
Switzerland under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme
Project coordinator:
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Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) - Zurich University of Applied Sciences |
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Polish Association “Green Roofs” from Wrocław (PSDZ) |
Beneficiaries: Polish municipalities - members of the Association of Polish Municipalities “Energie Cités” as well as Covenant of Mayors signatories and local communities
Direct participants: 12 Polish municipalities:
- Bielawa
- Bielsko-Biała
- Bydgoszcz
- Dąbrowa-Górnicza
- Dzierżoniów
- Ełk
- Kościerzyna
- Niepołomice
- Piaseczno
- Raciechowice
- Warszawa
- Władysławowo
and approx. 1200 representatives of local communities.
Indirect beneficiaries, recipients of informational campaign: all Polish municipalities.
Project website: www.ogrodnadglowa.pl
The project is co-financed from Switzerland under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme
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