GRAD – Green Roofs for Climate Adaption in Urban Areas

The activities throughout the project addressed the consequences of increased urbanisation processes, in particular the reduction of green spaces in cities. As a solution, the project promoted the creation of green roofs and green walls, which are still rare in Poland. Such green areas come with many benefits: they retain rainwater, increase urban green surface, reduce temperature differences and air stagnation, increase biodiversity, tie CO2 and reduce its amount in the atmosphere.

The project planned the transfer of German experiences and practices in the field of climate adaptation and mitigation to Poland. The focus lay upon the development of strategies and solutions to support the creation of green roofs. Established bilateral exchange with the city of Hamburg led to the development of eight local green roof strategies for eight Polish cities. The results were included in policy documents and the strategies were promoted among other cities to encourage them to take similar action. Planned capacity building and networking activities included the organisation of thematic seminars, workshops, study trips to Hamburg and the development of an inspirational brochure presenting German good practices in the field of green roofs, climate adaptation and climate mitigation strategies. The activities were connected with a widespread dissemination campaign to raise public awareness about the positive climate aspects of green roofs.

• Eight Polish municipalities were taught to design green roof strategies and trained to implement them. 
• Eight model strategies were developed and translated into local policies.  
• Approximately 200 municipalities improved their knowledge and showed interest in green roof strategies.