PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Home to a large percentage of Europe’s population, cities are facing great challenges related to climate change. These include rising annual temperatures, more frequent summer heat waves and droughts, and the increasing likelihood of heavy rainfall, windstorms and landslides. Land use, especially uncontrolled urban growth, sealed surfaces and development on open spaces can moreover increase the risk of extremely high temperatures and floods, and contribute to soil desiccation and a shortage of drinking water sources.
Climate change and its main impacts have been included in the Adaptation Strategy of the Slovak Republic on Adverse Impacts of Climate Change. Bratislava began adaptation efforts to climate change through the project EU cities adapt (2012-2013) that resulted into the drawing up of an adaptation strategy. Based on assessments, Bratislava Karlova Ves is one of city’s most vulnerable areas, especially given the amount of prefabricated buildings it contains. Current legislation does not sufficiently promote a balance of adaptation and mitigation measures to climate change.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE DELIVER project aims to introduce adaptation and mitigation measures in residential areas consisting of mostly prefabricated buildings. The aim is to increase their resilience and reduce carbon footprints so as to boost the health and comfort of the local citizens, improve their property protection and increase biodiversity. The project will contribute significantly to EU policy priorities for climate adaptation and mitigation and biodiversity in urban areas. Specifically, the project aims to:
Increase knowledge of common consolidated climate resilience and carbon footprint assessment, as well as the monitoring of progress in urban residential areas; Promote and demonstrate the integrated adaptation and mitigation approach with emphasis on eco-based climate solutions and biodiversity promotion; Increase the inclusion of residents into the process of combating climate change to strengthen their safety from related risks and to promote biodiversity; Propose changes and improvements to national climate legislation; and Increase awareness and promote the project approach to other cities in the EU with similar climate problems. Expected results:
Climate Resilient Low Carbon Factor Assessment tool (CReLoCaF), including methodology and description, that is accessible via a web interface and has an established benchmarking system; Climate Resilient Low Carbon Action Plan (CReLoCa AP) prepared and adopted by the municipality, following a pilot refurbishment of two public buildings and the renovation of open spaces based on the public participation process; Pilot actions demonstrating increased climate resilience, improved biodiversity protection, optimised energy consumption (proposal for two model residential buildings to become near zero energy buildings) and quantified potential energy savings and carbon footprint reduction; Community Climate and Biodiversity Educational Centre (CoCliBEC) with counselling centre established, and an educational and demonstration zone created; Contribution to building and other relevant legislation prepared and presented, as well as standards for sustainable rainwater management prepared; and Two conferences (kick off and final), three professional seminars, four printed publications (leaflets, e-newsletter for stakeholders) cooperation with international working group on adaptation (Climate alliance working group on adaptation, mayors adapt practitioners working group), 10 articles and five presentations at international conferences.
