1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Gdansk (FUA) Region Europe Native title of the NBS intervention Ogród deszczowy przy Miejskim Magazynie Przeciwpowodziowym przy ul. Kaczeńce Short description of the intervention Rainwater management in Gdańsk presents significant challenges due to the city's hydromorphological conditions, including high groundwater levels and steep terrain. These factors, coupled with the periodic inefficiency of the storm sewer system and the intensification of extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, have necessitated innovative solutions. Gdańsk has responded by implementing a climate change adaptation policy that promotes the use of open drainage systems, including small retention facilities like rain gardens. These gardens help mitigate the risks associated with excessive rainfall while enhancing urban sustainability. The first rain garden in Gdańsk was established in the Stogi district at the Flood Control Warehouse on Kaczeńce Street. This facility collects and utilizes rainwater from nearby paved surfaces, aiming to manage rainfall of at least 30 mm during intense, short-term downpours. Utilizing a variety of perennials such as marsh marigold, common loosestrife, comfrey, hemp agrimony, common calamus, and arrowhead, the garden retains and filters rainwater naturally, increasing efficiency and ecological benefits. Rain gardens absorb water up to 40% better than traditional lawns. They reduce rainwater runoff, mitigate flood risks, filter pollutants, improve biodiversity, and enhance urban air quality while lowering temperatures. The garden was created as part of a broader investment in the Flood Control Warehouse in Stogi, a facility opened in 2017 at a cost of over PLN 5 million. Strategically located near the Sucharski Route and the Martwa Wisła tunnel, the warehouse supports rapid response to flood emergencies, storing over 100 types of equipment, from shovels to large generators. This combination of infrastructure and green solutions demonstrates Gdańsk's commitment to urban resilience and environmental sustainability. (1-4) Website of the intervention https://klimada2.ios.gov.pl/ogrod-deszczowy/ogrody-deszczowe-w-gdansku/ Principal problems Climate-Related Hazards Urban flooding (stormwater) Environmental Degradation Biodiversity loss Air pollution Land use and Socio-economic change Rapid urbanization Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Fresh water wetlands Address Kaczeńce 31 80-603 Gdańsk Poland 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 (map-based) NBS area image Source of NBS area image https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kacze%C5%84ce+31,+80-603+Gda%C5%84sk/@54.3638724,18.698243,191m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x46fd72e02ad49967:0xd15bca5902ee6880!8m2!3d54.3638712!4d18.6992475!16s%2Fg%2F11fx7w72mq?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Total area 449.00m² NBS area 448.00m² Area description Urban (main city) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Freshwater setting (e.g. river, channel, lake, pond) Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2018 Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2018 End date of the intervention 2018 Present stage of the intervention Completed 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention To reduce the risk of floods and flooding by managing excess rainwater effectively. To slow down the flow and promote retention of rainwater, minimizing strain on urban drainage systems. To replenish groundwater resources through the natural infiltration of rainwater. To remove pollutants from rainwater, improving water quality and environmental health. To improve the quality of the urban environment through sustainable water management practices. To increase biodiversity by creating habitats for various plant and animal species. To reduce air temperature, improve its quality, and counteract urban heat island effects. To engage the community in environmental and educational initiatives and foster awareness about climate resilience. To involve the community in decision making processes (1-4) Key Priorities Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation) Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration) Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13) Climate change adaptation Environmental quality Air quality improvement Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Habitat and biodiversity restoration Water management (SDG 6) Flood protection Stormwater and rainfall management and storage Improvements to water quality Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16) Inclusive governance Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Environmental education Sense of community and community engagement Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Genetic-focused What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets? Restore native species Public engagement Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities Gdańskie Wody initiated the rain garden project to manage rainwater and reduce flooding in Gdańsk. The initiative involved active participation from the community, with adult residents assisting in planting the gardens, while preschoolers and students also contributed. To further engage the public, workshops were organized to teach residents how to create their own rain gardens. These sessions included step-by-step instructions from the "Gdańsk Small Retention Guide" and offered hands-on learning experiences. The process of creating the rain gardens involved excavating soil to depths between 0.5 and 3 meters to form basins capable of collecting and filtering rainwater. If challenges such as underground networks or extensive tree roots were encountered, adjustments were made, including the addition of more absorbent soil layers to ensure the gardens' effectiveness (1, 2). Type of NBS project Creation of semi-natural blue areas Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens) Protection of natural ecosystems Habitat restoration Knowledge creation and awareness raising Educational and awareness raising programs Strategy, plan or policy development Creation of city-wide or neighborhood climate adaptation or mitigation strategies/programs 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Green areas for water management Rain gardens Amenities offered by the NBS Unknown Design elements for well-being Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation) Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves) Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Provisioning services Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes) Regulating services Local climate regulation (temperature reduction) Flood regulation Water purification / filtration Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Cultural services Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational) Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The district is inhabited by 10,955 people. In recent years, the number of people living in the district has been constantly decreasing, which is characterized by a negative migration balance, which in 2016 amounted to -1.5 people per 1,000 inhabitants of the district and a negative natural increase, which in 2016 amounted to -8.2. As of December 31, 2016, unemployment in the district was 4.3% (8 p. 23, 25). Socio-economic profile of the area Unknown Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Non-government actors Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital) Citizens or community groups Primary Beneficiaries Citizens or community groups Young people and children Specify primary beneficiaries The project engages residents, preschoolers, and schoolchildren in its implementation, particularly in planting activities, and offers guided tours to familiarize them with the project (1). Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Native plant vegetation Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification) City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Co-governance with government and non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative Gdańskie Wody, a municipal company, leads the project. Residents play an active role in the process by helping to identify suitable locations for rain gardens, participating in planting activities, and collaborating with the city to support the initiative. The initiative involved active participation from the community, with adult residents assisting in planting the gardens, while preschoolers and students also contributed. To further engage the public, workshops were organized to teach residents how to create their own rain gardens. (1, 2). Key actors - initiating organization Local government/municipality Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Public sector institution Citizens or community group Stages of citizen and community engagement Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities) On-the-ground implementation Level of citizen and community engagement High Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members Establishment of mentorship programs or partnerships with local institutions (e.g. schools, kinder gardens, hospitals, nursing homes) Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping) Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls) Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting) Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Public Services Schools Land owners Public space owned by the city Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a 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" Gdansk climate adaptation strategy (6) Relevant strategy or plan City specific climate change policy or plan Mandatory or voluntary intervention Mandatory (based on policy) Intervention is mandatory Environmental regulation Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city: Green Citizens' Budget (9) Governace and decison-making instruments Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans) Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES)) Public - community agreement (e.g. citizen science programs; citizen assemblies) Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown Barriers Unknown Financing Total cost Less than €10,000 Please specify total cost (EUR) around 7011 € (2) What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? around 7011 € (2) Source(s) of funding Public local authority budget Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Non-financial contribution Yes Who provided the non-financial contribution? Citizens (e.g. volunteering) Type of non-financial contribution Provision of labour Provision of expertise Co-finance for NBS No Entrepreneurship opportunities No Business models Business models Risk reduction model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Climate change Lowered local temperature Expected lowered local temperature Environmental quality Improved air quality Expected improved air quality Water management and blue areas Improved water quality Expected improved water quality Increased protection against flooding Expected increased protection against flooding Improved stormwater management Expected improved stormwater management Green space and habitat Increased number of species present Expected increased number of species present Description of environmental benefits --Expected lowered local temperature: " Such gardens reduce the amount of rainwater flowing down (and consequently - the risk of flooding), filter it, increase biodiversity, take care of the cleanliness of the air and lower its temperature, improve the aesthetics of the surroundings and the comfort of the residents " (1) -Improved air quality: "They keep the air clean and lower its temperature." (1) -Increased protection against flooding: "Reducing the risk of floods and flooding." (2) -Improved stormwater management: - "Rain gardens are one of the simplest ways of managing rainwater, they absorb it up to 40% better than a classic lawn - says Agnieszka Kowalkiewicz from the Gdańskie Wody company. - Their main task is to collect and use rainwater from nearby areas, including paved surfaces . The best source of water for them is from roofs, pavements, pedestrian areas and from driveways and parking lot" (1) --Expected increased number of species present: "In the rain garden arranged by Gdańskie Wody at the Flood Protection Warehouse, various perennials have appeared, including marsh marigold, common loosestrife, comfrey, hemp-seeded plant, common calamus, and water arrowroot." (1) --Expected improved water quality: "Such gardens reduce the amount of rainwater flowing down (and consequently - the risk of flooding), filter it, increase biodiversity, take care of the cleanliness of the air and lower its temperature, improve the aesthetics of the surroundings and the comfort of the residents " (1) Environmental impact indicators Water retention capacity (m³ or %) 33,49 Economic impacts Unknown Description of economic benefits Unknown Social and cultural impacts Education Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits Description of social and cultural benefits --Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits: "A rain garden can be made by anyone – both in the ground and in a container . We want to encourage the people of Gdańsk to create small retention facilities on their own , says Kowalkiewicz. That is why we invite you to our garden in Stogi next Saturday. Participants of the event will learn how to make a rain garden in 5 steps (they will also receive Part I of the Gdańsk Small Retention Guide) (1) Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Local government/municipality Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Outcome indicators Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports No evidence in public records Availability of a web-based monitoring tool No evidence in public records Name of any specific impact assessment tools Unknown Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis Yes Transparency Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives Justice Community satisfaction Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community. Description of locals satisfaction with the project “The residents treat these facilities as if they were their own. After the rains, they send us photos to show that the garden has worked, when the plants are dying, they ask us if everything is OK. It is a very nice reward for the effort that our team puts in." (Ref. 7) Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected Unknown Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement No initiatives or policies were implemented High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) No Goal setting and impacts delivery In the planning phase, the project aimed to address issues in all 3 key priority areas, but impacts were not delivered in all three key areas. Reaching original project goals Most of the project goals were achieved Please specify the achievements of the project goals Climate action and biodiversity: --Expected lowered local temperature: " Such gardens reduce the amount of rainwater flowing down (and consequently - the risk of flooding), filter it, increase biodiversity, take care of the cleanliness of the air and lower its temperature, improve the aesthetics of the surroundings and the comfort of the residents " (1) -Improved air quality: "They keep the air clean and lower its temperature." (1) -Increased protection against flooding: "Reducing the risk of floods and flooding." (2) -Improved stormwater management: - "Rain gardens are one of the simplest ways of managing rainwater, they absorb it up to 40% better than a classic lawn - says Agnieszka Kowalkiewicz from the Gdańskie Wody company. - Their main task is to collect and use rainwater from nearby areas, including paved surfaces . The best source of water for them is from roofs, pavements, pedestrian areas and from driveways and parking lot" (1) --Expected increased number of species present: "In the rain garden arranged by Gdańskie Wody at the Flood Protection Warehouse, various perennials have appeared, including marsh marigold, common loosestrife, comfrey, hemp-seeded plant, common calamus, and water arrowroot." (1) --Expected improved water quality: "Such gardens reduce the amount of rainwater flowing down (and consequently - the risk of flooding), filter it, increase biodiversity, take care of the cleanliness of the air and lower its temperature, improve the aesthetics of the surroundings and the comfort of the residents " (1) Social justice and community: --Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits: "A rain garden can be made by anyone – both in the ground and in a container . We want to encourage the people of Gdańsk to create small retention facilities on their own , says Kowalkiewicz. That is why we invite you to our garden in Stogi next Saturday. Participants of the event will learn how to make a rain garden in 5 steps (they will also receive Part I of the Gdańsk Small Retention Guide) (1) Long-term perspective Yes Cost-effective solutions Yes Equitable impacts A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project Transformative capacity Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation Application of lessons learned The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Kowalkiewicz, A. (2018). Poznaj pierwszy gdański ogród deszczowy. Portal Miasta Gdańska, Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Klimada 2.0 (n.d.). Ogrody deszczowe w Gdańsku. Klimada 2.0, Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Gdańskie Wody (n.d.). Ogród deszczowy na terenie Miejskiego Magazynu Przeciwpowodziowego - ul. Kaczeńce. Gdańskie Wody, Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Komunalny.pl (2018). W Gdańsku pojawił się pierwszy ogród deszczowy. Komunalny.pl, Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. Kosycarz Foto Press (2018). NA STOGACH POWSTAŁ PIERWSZY W GDAŃSKU OGRÓD DESZCZOWY. ODKRYTO RÓWNIEŻ TAJEMNICE MAGAZYNU PRZECIWPOWODZIOWEGO. Kosycarz Foto Press, Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. 44mpa.pl (n.d.). Opracowanie planów adaptacji do zmian klimatu w miastach powyżej 100 tys. mieszkańców. 44mpa.pl, Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. Gawlik, K. (2019). Gdańsk jako pierwsze miasto w Polsce zakłada gruntowe ogrody deszczowe i parki retencyjne. SMOG LAB, Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 8. Urząd Miejski w Gdańsku (n.d.). Gdańskie dzielnice tu mieszkam tu działam STOGI. Urząd Miejski w Gdańsku, Accessed on September 20, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 9. Gdańskie Wody (2020). Gdańskie Wody. Gdańskie Wody, Accessed on September 20, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image Rain Garden in Gdansk Ref. 3 Image Rain Garden in Gdańsk Ref. 6 Image Rain gardens in Gdansk https://klimada2.ios.gov.pl/ogrod-deszczowy/ogrody-deszczowe-w-gdansku/ Image Rain gardens in Gdansk https://klimada2.ios.gov.pl/ogrod-deszczowy/ogrody-deszczowe-w-gdansku/ Image Rain gardens in Gdansk https://klimada2.ios.gov.pl/ogrod-deszczowy/ogrody-deszczowe-w-gdansku/
