On August 24-26, our partner Ecologic Institute organized a study visit to Berlin – a city where 80% of rainwater is retained where it falls! The event was aimed at decision-makers representing local governments from all over Poland, engaged in the Climate NBS project. Our goal was to show various solutions of blue-green infrastructure that can contribute to increasing landscape retention in the city and thus support it’s adaptation to climate change. Our guests, representing e.g. the cities of Bydgoszcz, Łódź, Warsaw, Wrocław, Mysłowice and Leśna Commune had the opportunity to talk to specialists: designers, officials and scientists specialising in urban climate friendly solutions. The visit’s agenda included many innovative facilities.
Potsdamer Platz
By creating in the center of the city an innovative system consisting of stagnant and flowing waters, swamps and green roofs as well as other habitats, 99% of rainwater was managed on site.
Block6 Water Farm
The local grey water recovery installation has been operating for several years, it is accompanied by an experimental city farm (Roof Water Farm), which produces vegetables and breeds fish based on purified rainwater.
UFA Fabrik
UFA Fabrik, a place created by environmental activists on the site of a former factory, which has been used for many years for experimenting. The first green roofs were built here, the first large scale photovoltaic farm in Berlin, many new initiatives and solutions are still being tested to achieve climate neutrality.
Humbolt University
The building of the physics department is covered with the famous, wild, green wall with surprisingly low maintenance costs, the building manages all rainwater within its own outline. Rainwater is also used to cool the building, which is extremely energy-efficient.
Rummelsburger Bucht
So-called Berlin sponge city, that absorbs all rainwater in its area, thanks to cascading green roofs and absorption basins collecting water from the streets. The solutions used in this area have been in operation for already 20 years.