PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Higher temperatures in urban areas than rural areas have been identified as an urgent global warming issue by researchers in Central and East European (CEE) cities. This Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect has adverse consequences on well-being, green spaces and businesses. Building urban green infrastructure is the most effective way to mitigate UHI because it reduces surface heat absorption and increases solar energy reflection and water retention. It also contributes to a better environment for citizens, boosting biodiversity in urban areas. However, green infrastructure is not widely considered in the strategies and priorities of CEE cities.
The project targets areas in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia which are subject to limited integrated climate adaptation action plans, have weak implementation structures and a low level of public involvement in local decision-making. Moreover, these countries tend to have less funding available to accelerate the process in line with European strategies to achieve better climate governance. Central European countries also have similar bioclimatic conditions, require similar adaptation to climate change priorities and share a similar legislative background.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LIFE TreeCheck project was to decrease adverse climate impacts – particularly the Urban Heat Island effect – in European cities by making green infrastructure planning and decision-making processes more efficient and effective. Climate governance tools were developed and applied, increasing the capacities of local public authorities, improving stakeholder involvement and building public awareness. The specific objectives of the LIFE TreeCheck project were to:
- Increase the capacity and understanding of CEE urban authorities, city planners and urban green infrastructure managers of the positive impact that improved planning and management of green infrastructure can have in preventing the UHI effect; and
- Increase the awareness and active involvement of citizens regarding urban green infrastructure in their cities.
RESULTS
The project successfully produced key products like the TreeCheck Pro software and TreeCheck App for mobile phones, which are fully operational (already 22,962 downloads of the TreeCheck App). Other remarkable results include:
- 101 pilot adaptation measures were supported by the project,
- The competitions Adapterra Awards and Green Oasis have reached a high reputation, which can be documented by 22,082 people participating in the voting for Adapterra Awards or by 1,824,923 people reached by the Adapterra Facebook and 170,226 visits to the Adapterra Awards website, or by 184 supported community projects with about 6,000 people participating,
- There was a high interest from general public, experts and politician in the project activities and results - 188 cities were involved in the project actions despite limitations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to GRP (Gross Rating Point), 88,587,900 people were reached by the media campaign, and there were 38,248 visits to the project website,
- The project team contributed to 16 changes in strategic or legislation documents at the city level and to 11 changes at national level.
