1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Bratislava
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Rekonštrukcia Železná studnička
Short description of the intervention
This NBS involved the reconstruction of two of the total of four lakes/ponds at the Iron Fountain (Železná studnička) and was one of the project sites undertaken by the Bratislava Zelenaj project. (7, 8, 10) The location served as a recreational and relaxing spot for locals and tourists. To undertake the reconstruction, the two lakes/ponds no. 3 and no. 4 had to be discharged. Upon doing so many species of fish were found, including carp, caras, catfish, rabbitfish, toothpick, lure or amur, and also bivalve molluscs and troughs. Reconstruction of water reservoirs (ponds) no. 3 and no. 4 were implemented by the City of Bratislava within the framework of the project in cooperation with the Monumental Office of the Slovak Republic and the Municipal Forests company. (9, 11, 20)
Address

Cesta mládeže
Nové Mesto
831 01 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 (17.074188 48.180276)
POINT (17.0739 48.17861)
POINT (17.085937 48.192118)
POINT (17.082599 48.191097)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google maps. Available at: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cesta+ml%C3%A1de%C5%BEe,+Bratislava,+Slovakia/@48.192135,17.0839877,537m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x476c8c411547fa67:0x866e94f92c80a672!8m2!3d48.2052846!4d17.0905544. Accessed on 29th October, 2020.

Note: The intervention is located in two different sites. The co-ordinates mentioned above indicate the edges for both of the ponds respectively. The first two co-ordinates indicate the boundary for the pond no. 4 whereas the second two co-ordinates indicate the boundary for the pond no. 3.
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Natural Heritage Area/Untouched nature
Public Greenspace Area
Website of the intervention
http://bratislavazelenajsa.sk/?page_id=26&lang=en
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2014
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2016
End date of the intervention
2017
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
The two funded reconstructions of the four ponds under the "Bratislava is preparing for climate change" were completed in April 2017. The funds required for the reconstruction of the remaining two will be outsourced by the municipal office of Nové Mesto and the Bratislava City Office. (1, 12)
Goals of the intervention
The main goal of the project was the reconstruction of two of the four ponds at Iron studienke. The objectives included enhancement of the passage for new outlets so that water can flow into a pond of Vydrica as it did in the past. (8, 14, 19) Also, the maintenance of ponds at the Iron studničke are part of the pilot project titled "Bratislava is preparing for climate change" focusing on the negative externalities of global warming on urban environments and residents. (9)
Quantitative targets
- Reconstruction of two ponds/lakes/dams of the total of four located at Iron studienke. (8, 9)
Monitoring indicators defined
- protective measures relating to the conservation of protected animals harvested by licensed professionals (8)

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Water management (SDG 6)
Flood protection
Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
Improvements to water quality
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Reduce exposure to climate risks directly
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Restore wetlands and/or coastal ecosystems to dissipate the effects of flooding and/or storms
Renaturalization of rivers and other water bodies
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore native species
Implementation activities
The staff of Urban Forests in Bratislava began in late July 2016 year with the first water reservoir. They discharged water from it, which was done to prepare for reconstruction work on the tank and its overall revitalization. In connection with the discharge of water from the dam, they had to provide for safeguard measures concerning the protection of the areas protected animals while the constructions took place before they could be returned to their environment. This included carp, crucian carp, catfish, pike, perch, tench and grass carp and also shellfish - mussel ponds and river trough. (9, 11, 20)

Work on the ponds was originally planned to end at the end of March 2017. (12) The contract was extended however due to the January frosts, for which abstained the implementation of this NBS. (13)
Type of NBS project
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Lakes/ponds
Vegetation Type
Trees
Please specify how many trees were planted
Unknown
Amenities offered by the NBS
Swimming areas
Viewing and outlook points
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Flood regulation
Water purification / filtration
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Tourism
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
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". The relevant Petržalka district office was also involved in the coordination of the project. 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)
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
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, 10)
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’. (15)
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, 18)
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
€100,000 - €500,000
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)
€238,440 (85% from the EEA and Norway Grants and 15% from the City Office of Bratislava) (9, 12, 13, 20)
Source(s) of funding
EU funds
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Other
Please specify other type of fund used
EEA Grants and Norway Grants
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
Risk reduction model
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Technological
Infrastructural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The project aimed to enhance the quality of the habitat provided for both the visiting population of local resident and tourists as well as the natural inhabitants of the ponds. (8, 9, 11, 20)
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
The innovation is not referred to as being transferred to new initiative(s)
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Increased protection against flooding
Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Green space and habitat
Reduced biodiversity loss
Description of environmental benefits
1. Newly built permissible and discharge objects on ponds no. 3 and no. 4 allow for further operation and functionality of the flow of water in and out of reservoirs.
2. The reconstructed objects are able to re-fill the reservoirs and maintain the operating level in them by regulating the water flow or completely empty them. This has enhanced the flood protection mechanism of the area.
3. The project involved protecting the existing fish species. This included carp, crucian carp, catfish, pike, perch, tench and grass carp and also shellfish - mussel ponds and river trough. (4, 6, 8, 9, 11)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of natural heritage
Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Please specify other environmental justice issue
Unknown
Description of social and cultural benefits
1. Visitors to the popular Železná studienka can relax again not only in the pleasant shade of the surrounding forests but also in the vicinity of the restored water reservoirs, which also cool the surrounding environment.
2. The project has restored the historically important sites.
3. It provides a place for walking, hiking in between the greeneries and relaxing. (7, 8, 9, 11)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Number of fish species protected and restored, improvement of the water quality, protection against flooding incident. (7, 9, 11)
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)
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
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
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) Iron studničke ponds at the end of March restored
(9) Restoration of ponds on the Iron studničke completed in the new year
(10) Thanks to fund the EEA and Norway, some sites in Bratislava zazelenali
(11) Urban forests in Bratislava started the reconstruction of dams on the Iron…
(12) Restored ponds Iron studničke should finish at the end of April
(13) Restored ponds Iron studničke
(14) VIDEO: Do rybníkov na Železnej studničke sa vracia život, začali ich napúš…
(19) The end of the revitalization of the fishponds at Železná studienka again …
(20) From lakes to Iron studienke the desert! Bratislava made a resolute step: …
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
(15) RESIN: City Assessment Report Bratislava (1.69 MB) 1.69 MB
(16) Bratislava Zelenaj sa Leaflet (648.65 KB) 648.65 KB
(17) 4th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Adaptation to Climate Change (416.07 KB) 416.07 KB
(18) 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 on 29th October, 2020.
(2) Zelena Architektura. (2015). Bratislava sa pripravuje na zmenu klímy. Retrieved from http://www.zelenarchitektura.sk/2015/06/bratislava-sa-pripravuje-na-zmenu-klimy/ on 29th October, 2020.
(3) EEA Grants and Norway Grants. [no date]. Who we are. Retrieved from http://eeagrants.org/Who-we-are on 29th October, 2020.
(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 on 29th October, 2020.
(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 on 29th October, 2020.
(6) Záhorová, Ľubomíra. (2017). Bratislava, zelenaj sa! Retrieved from http://www.inba.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=600185&id=3415 on 29th October, 2020.
(7) SME Bratislava. (2017). Rybníky na Železnej studničke do konca marca neobnovia. Retrieved from https://bratislava.sme.sk/c/20479936/rybniky-na-zeleznej-studnicke-do-konca-marca-neobnovia.html#axzz4k4W6xcxH on 29th October, 2020.
(8) Majerský, Ivan. (2016). Obnovu rybníkov na Železnej studničke ukončia v novom roku. Retrieved from https://spravy.pravda.sk/regiony/clanok/414964-obnovu-rybnikov-na-zeleznej-studnicke-ukoncia-v-novom-roku/ on 29th October, 2020.
(9) Kmecová, Tatiana and Puschmannová, Natalia. (2017). Vďaka fondom EHP a Nórska sa niektoré lokality v Bratislave zazelenali. Retrieved from http://www.vlada.gov.sk/22111/vdaka-fondom-ehp-a-norska-sa-niektore-lokality-v-bratislave-zazelenali/?day=2017-05-01&art_datum_od=2017-04-11&art_datum_do=2017-04-11 on 29th October, 2020.
(10) Bratislava.24. (2016). Mestské lesy v Bratislave začali s rekonštrukciou vodných nádrží na Železnej studienke. Retrieved from http://bratislava.dnes24.sk/mestske-lesy-v-bratislave-zacali-s-rekonstrukciou-vodnych-nadrzi-na-zeleznej-studienke-245565 on 29th October, 2020.
(11) BratislavaDen. (2017). Obnovené rybníky na Železnej studničke by mali skolaudovať do konca apríla. Retrieved from http://bratislavaden.sk/obnovene-rybniky-zeleznej-studnicke-by-mali-skolaudovat-do-konca-aprila/ on 29th October, 2020.
(12) BratislavaDen. (2017). Obnovené rybníky na Železnej studničke zatiaľ neskolaudovali. Retrieved from http://bratislavaden.sk/obnovene-rybniky-zeleznej-studnicke-zatial-neskolaudovali/ on 29th October, 2020.
(13) BratislavaDen. (2017). VIDEO: Do rybníkov na Železnej studničke sa vracia život, začali ich napúšťať. Retrieved from http://bratislavaden.sk/video-do-rybnikov-zeleznej-studnicke-sa-vracia-zivot-zacali-napustat/ on 29th October, 2020.
(14) Kozova, Maria, Pauditsova, Eva and Hudekova, Zuzana. (2016). RESIN: City Assessment Report Bratislava. Bratislava.
Continued in the comments.
Interview
Attachment Size
Interview data acquired from project Manager Eva Streberová (16.19 KB) 16.19 KB
Comments and notes
Comments
(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) Perks, Jonathan. (2013). Adaptation Strategies for European Cities: Final Report. Harwell. Ricardo-AEA.
(18) Herc, Maroš. (2016). Z jazierok na Železnej studienke je púšť! Bratislava urobila razantný krok: Presunúť museli 3 tony rýb! Retrieved from https://www.cas.sk/clanok/440921/z-jazierok-na-zeleznej-studienke-je-pust-bratislava-urobila-razantny-krok-presunut-museli-3-tony-ryb/ on 29th October, 2020.
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. (15)
Pictures of the NBS
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Public Images
Ponds Restoration
Bratislava Zalenaj Sa
http://bratislavazelenajsa.sk/?page_id=26&lang=en