1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Bratislava
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Námestie Slobody Renovácia
Short description of the intervention
The present intervention is about the rehabilitation of the freedom square (Námestie hraničiarov) (formerly Gottwald square) in the city district of Petržalka of the city of Bratislava (9, 11). The area of the intervention is about 1 ha. The pavement was replaced by grass areas, trees, and flower beds in the square’s alleys. A water capturing and irrigation system was also installed to ensure resilience to drought. The project was implemented by the city district of Petržalka, which is - with 100,000 inhabitants - one of the larger and most densely populated districts of Bratislava. (1)
Address

Námestie slobody 2902/6
Nové Mesto
811 06 Bratislava
Slovakia

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary
POINT (17.110536 48.15351)
POINT (17.113316 48.152621)
POINT (17.111687 48.150779)
POINT (17.109808 48.151593)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google maps. Available at: https://www.google.com/maps/place/N%C3%A1mestie+slobody+2902%2F6,+811+06+Bratislava,+Slovakia/@48.1521252,17.1104882,381m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x476c89503291c4ab:0x46813365c5e96414!8m2!3d48.1534675!4d17.1116168. Accessed on 29th October, 2020.
Total area
45000.00m²
NBS area
10000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Central Business District / City Centre
Website of the intervention
http://bratislavazelenajsa.sk/?page_id=24&lang=en
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2009
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2015
End date of the intervention
2017
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
Reconstruction of the square began in 2015 but the process fell apart due to the level of required funding to complete a full renovation of the square. (12) In 2016, the municipality of Petržalka began the first phase of renovating the square. Due to limited funds it began on only "revitalising green, surfaces, and elements of small architecture will be well designed and implemented some elements of sustainable management of rainwater" in accordance with the original architectural designs of the square in 1980 (drawn by Virgila Droppu, Juraja Hovorku and Juraja Hlavicu), (14) while renovating areas such as the lawn for subsistence activities, and the vegetation. The municipality is currently awaiting for further foreign funding so that it can complete the project. (13)

In 2013 a spokesman for the municipality cited expert estimations that costs for renovation would be prohibitively high, while in 2007 the square was closed due to excessive repair costs of 1 million. (8, 9, 11)
Goals of the intervention
The main goal of the project was to reconstruct the alleys on the Square of Freedom (Liberty Square). The sub-goals included, removal of 1 ha of the pavement and replace with grass, trees, and flower beds. To install water capturing and irrigation systems to ensure resilience to drought. In addition, installation of recreational areas (playground, climbing frames, recreational areas for adults). (1, 20)
Quantitative targets
Felling of 6 trees (3 lime, 1 tuja, 1 birch, rowan 1), identify ill health trees, to plant 53 trees and to repair the fountain.
Monitoring indicators defined
Unknown
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Water management (SDG 6)
Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Air quality improvement
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Reduce exposure to climate risks directly
Build resilience
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Increase or improve urban vegetation cover to help reduce outdoor temperature
Increase the use of climate-resilient plant species (resistant to drought, fire, and pests)
Implementation activities
The first phase of implementation involves the felling of disruptive or poor health trees and root systems to make space for the implementation of the squares recreational and green areas. The second stage involves the implementation of said areas as well as restoration of the fountain's pipeline and the construction of water retention measures. Also, reconstruction of roads, sidewalks and passages and implementation of new cycle routes. (8, 9, 14)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
Parks and urban forests
Other
Green areas for water management
Sustainable urban drainage systems
Please specify "other parks or (semi)natural urban green area"
City square with trees
What is the level of innovation / development of the NBS related to water management?
Low: Simple rain water collection intervention (rain garden, local seepage pit) or simple permeable areas
Vegetation Type
Shrubs
Trees
Flower beds
Please specify how many trees were planted
53
Amenities offered by the NBS
Benches and drinking water stations
Playgrounds
Cultural (museum, concert areas)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Air quality regulation
Carbon storage/sequestration
Cultural services
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Young people and children
Marginalized groups
Elderly people
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Researchers, university
Coalition with multiple of the above
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
Bratislava City Office coordinates the pan-project named "Bratislava is preparing for climate change - pilot application of the measures in the field of sustainable rainwater". Apart from the city districts, cooperation on the project was sought with the Bratislava Regional Conservation Association, Bratislava Water Company, City Committee of Slovak Nature and Landscape Conservation Union, City Forest in Bratislava, Comenius University in Bratislava, Nature Sciences Faculty to involve them in the plans. The Norwegian partner COWI was involved because of its experience in the field and to underline the spirit of the EEA Grants and Norway Grants regarding international cooperation. (1, 3, 5, 6)

Subsequent budgetary limitations to the project's involvement with this NBS led to the involvement of property developer HB Reavis in May 2017. (8)
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Multilateral organisation
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Researchers/university
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Unknown
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
The NBS is as part of the project ‘Bratislava is preparing for climate change’ a practical contribution to the implementation of the City of Bratislava's prepared and approved Adaptation Action Plan. (1, 3, 5, 6, 16)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
This NBS relates to the 2007-2015 and 2016-2020 Programme of Economic and Social Development (PESD) in operating of green infrastructure, management of rainwater, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport. It was approved for the period 2016-2020 by the City Office of Bratislava in relation to its role in initiating the project ‘Bratislava is preparing for climate change’. (16)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific climate change policy or plan
Urban redevelopment plan
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The European Commission's DG Climate Action commissioned the 2012-2013 ‘EU Cities Adapt project’ via a consortium led by Ricardo-AEA and ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) aiming at capacity building for adaptation strategies for European cities. The working group for Bratislava identified the climate risks of the city, engaged external stakeholders and developed a draft adaptation strategy. This was the basis of the proposal to apply for EEA Grants. (1, 19)
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Yes
Co-governance arrangement
An association
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Set up for multiple NBS interventions, including this one
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Initial intervention (2014-2016) was €120,000 (8, 12) to €150,000 (85% from the EEA and Norway Grants and 15% from the City Office of Bratislava). (14)

Due to limitations of the extent of funding Bratislava City Office had to outsource funding. Negotiations are ongoing with property developing company HB Reavis over an investment of €500,000. (8)

It is anticipated however that the project will demand in excess of €1,000,000.
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Corporate investment
Other
Please specify other source of funding
EEA Grants and Norway Grants
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Equity funding (investment in shares)
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Business models
Green densification model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Type of innovation
Technological
Product innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The product innovation of this NBS involves revitalising old architectural designs and incorporating them into a more eco-friendly setting that involves more recent technological innovations in relation to water management and green spaces. (20)
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Enhanced carbon sequestration
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Water management and blue areas
Improved stormwater management
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Increased number of species present
Description of environmental benefits
1. 53 new trees were planted which has contributed to improving the air quality of the city along with carbon storage.
2. The previously existed 6 ill-health trees were uprooted to restore the ecosystem and create healthy habitats for species.
3. The project has increased the overall green space within the city.
4. The new planting of the alley was done in the original planting holes and strips into a special substrate with a possibility of irrigation.
5. Flowering perennials of smaller and larger periwinkles were planted to create rich green bedding. (1, 3, 5, 8, 9)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
Improved aesthetics
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Improved mental health
Other
Please specify other environmental justice issue
Unknown
Description of social and cultural benefits
1. The renovated place has reported encouraging the residents to use the space and gave them an opportunity to socially interact.
2. The aesthetics of the place has improved. The restoration of the fountain had a big impact on the residents' mental health. The citizens received the changes well and it has reported creating a positive effect on the visitors' mental health.
3. The square is well connected to the rest of the city, this has increased the access of the residents to green spaces.
4. Newly constructed sidewalks and cycle lanes also have encouraged the citizens to use and visit the place often. (1, 3, 5, 7, 8)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
New trees planted, new green area created, number of users (5, 6)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Water management (SDG 6)
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Environmental quality
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Other
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown as of October, 2020.
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown.
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
According to email correspondence: participatory workshops were organized with public and citizens living in the areas where pilot project were realised (the public participated on the design and chose the most fitting functions for the new designs).
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
(1) European Climate Adaptation Platform
(2) Zelena Architektura
(3) EEA Grants and Norway Grants
(4) RESIN: IVAVIA: Risk-Based Vulnerability Assessment Using IVAVIA
(5) EEA Grants and Norway Grants
(6) EEA Grants and Norway Grants
(7) Bratislava, zelenaj sa!
(8) reality.Etrend
(9) Freedom Square may park while looking for the money to repair
(10) Reconstruction of Liberty Square 2010-2012 plans
(11) The fountain on the square of freedom are not counted garage plans
(12) Plans for 2017: City fountain repair, build new parks and bike path
(13) REBIRTH FOUNTAIN DRUZHBA ON FREEDOM SQUARE IN BRATISLAVA
(14) Bratislava is still looking for money to fix Liberty Square
(15) Ad "On Freedom Square ongoing repair work" or as it was, in fact,
Bratislava's(20) Freedom Square awaiting repair, fountain Druzhba not yet
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
(16) RESIN: City Assessment Report Bratislava (1.69 MB) 1.69 MB
(17) Bratislava Zelenaj sa Leaflet (648.65 KB) 648.65 KB
(18) 4th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Adaptation to Climate Change (416.07 KB) 416.07 KB
(19) EU cities adapt - Adaptation Strategies for European Cities: Final Report (2013) (4.9 MB) 4.9 MB
List of references
(1) Rehackova,Tamara. (2016). EEA grants supporting the city of Bratislava to implement climate adaptation measures. Retrieved from http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/case-studies/eea-grants-supporting-the-city-of-bratislava-to-implement-climate-adaptation-measures
(2) Zelena Architektura. (2015). Bratislava sa pripravuje na zmenu klímy. Retrieved from http://www.zelenarchitektura.sk/2015/06/bratislava-sa-pripravuje-na-zmenu-klimy/
(3) EEA Grants and Norway Grants. [no date]. Who we are. Retrieved from http://eeagrants.org/Who-we-are
(4) EEA Grants and Norway Grants. [no date]. City Of Bratislava Is Preparing To The Climate Change – The Pilot Application Of The Measures In The Field Of The Sustainable Rainwater Management In Urban Area. Retrieved from http://eeagrants.org/project-portal/project/SK02-0005
(5) EEA Grants and Norway Grants. (2012). Adapation to Climate Change - Flood and Drought Prevention. Retrieved from http://eeagrants.org/programme/view/SK02/SK02-0005
(6) Záhorová, Ľubomíra. (2017). Bratislava, zelenaj sa! Retrieved from http://www.inba.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=600185&id=3415
(7) Vašuta, Tomáš. (2017). Mesto a HB Reavis sa zbližujú, developer zaplatí opravu námestia. Bratislava. News and Media Holding. Retrieved from https://reality.etrend.sk/komercne-nehnutelnosti/mesto-a-hb-reavis-sa-zblizuju-developer-zaplati-opravu-namestia.html
(8) Blaško, Dušan. (2016). Námestie slobody môže byť parkom, zatiaľ sa hľadajú peniaze na opravu. Bratislava. Retrieved from https://www.bratislavskenoviny.sk/zivot-v-meste/41726-namestie-slobody-moze-byt-parkom-zatial-sa-hladaju-peniaze-na-opravu
(9) Obecný úrad. (2012). Rekonštrukcia Námestia slobody. Retrieved from http://www.lednickerovne.sk/obecny-urad/projekty/rekonstrukcia-namestia-slobody/
(10) Tkáčiková, Lucia. (2013). S fontánou na Námestí slobody pri plánoch garáží nepočítajú. Retrieved from https://bratislava.sme.sk/c/6969930/s-fontanou-na-namesti-slobody-pri-planoch-garazi-nepocitaju.html#axzz4kcwfVNYJ
(11) Bratislava24. (2016). Plány na rok 2017: Mesto opraví fontánu, postaví nové parkoviská aj cyklochodníky. Retrieved from http://bratislava.dnes24.sk/plany-na-rok-2017-mesto-opravi-fontanu-postavi-nove-parkoviska-aj-cyklochodniky-256394
(12) Návrhu, Popis. (2015). ZNOVUZRODENIE FONTÁNY DRUŽBA NA NÁMESTÍ SLOBODY V BRATISLAVE. Retrieved from http://mestskezasahy.sk/95/sk/portfolio_item/druzba-fountain/
(13) Hebertová, Viera. (2015). Bratislavské Námestie slobody čaká oprava, fontánu Družba zatiaľ nie. Retrieved from https://spravy.pravda.sk/regiony/clanok/367083-bratislavske-namestie-slobody-caka-oprava-fontanu-druzba-zatial-nie/
Continued in comments
Interview
Attachment Size
Interview data acquired from project Manager Eva Streberová (16.19 KB) 16.19 KB
Comments and notes
Comments
(14) Kozova, Maria, Pauditsova, Eva and Hudekova, Zuzana. (2016). RESIN: City Assessment Report Bratislava. Bratislava.
(15) Bratislava, zelenaj sa. [no date]. Bratislava sa pripravuje na zmenu klímy – pilotná aplikácia opatrení v oblasti zadržiavania zrážok v urbanizovanom prostredí.
(16) Ulrych, Libor. (2015). Climate changes ongoing projects, activities in the Carpathian region Slovakia. 4th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Adaptation to Climate Change.
(17) Hebertová, Viera. (2015). Bratislavské Námestie slobody čaká oprava, fontánu Družba zatiaľ nie. https://spravy.pravda.sk/regiony/clanok/367083-bratislavske-namestie-slobody-caka-oprava-fontanu-druzba-zatial-nie/
Additional insights
About monitoring:
The City of Bratislava has yet to devise a methodology for monitoring and evaluating the effect of adaptation measures. Identifying indicators for monitoring the progress and effects of adaptation measures is complex. Yet, the preparation of a set of such indicators and suitable methodology is planned for the near future. For now, only the costs of adaptation measures that will be implemented within the selected operational programmes for the period 2014 to 2020 will be monitored. For the purposes of monitoring, selected climate measurements will in the near future be collected through measuring devices, which are financed from the budget of the "City of Bratislava is preparing to the climate change - pilot application of the measures in the field of sustainable rainwater management in urban areas” project. The results will feed into the indicators. The City of Bratislava and the Slovak Hydro-Meteorological Institute will sign an agreement on the implementation of the monitoring. (16)
Pictures of the NBS
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Public Images
Liberty Square Perennial Plantation
Bratislava Zalenaj Sa
http://bratislavazelenajsa.sk/?page_id=24&lang=en