On the morning of 19 May, participants will have the opportunity to attend site visits around Wrocław to discover some of the region's varied initiatives towards climate change adaptation and resilience. When registering, please specify which site visit you wish to attend.

Spaces are limited and awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

Tour #1 - Promenades and Boulevards - greenery and public spaces of Wroclaw

Duration: 3 hrs

Time: Precise times TBC but it will occur on the morning of Monday 19 May and between the hours of 9:00 – 13:00

Number of participants: 40

The tour includes a walk along the promenades and boulevards of the Old Town of Wrocław.

In 1813, the walled fortifications of the Old Town were demolished to open-up the crowded city and make way for its development. Parks and gardens were established in their place but, as the city expanded, this resulted in fragmented sites of urban greenery with industrial areas lining the riverbanks.

Today the biggest challenge has been to make the rivers part of the lived fabric of the city again, as well as connecting the fragmented ring of green public spaces into a continuous chain that can be walked or cycled through.

The effects of climate change have made life in the city centre more challenging and have been compounded by the small number of green areas. These effects include severe Urban Heat Island effects and flooding resulting from excessive water runoff during heavy rains. This has forced the implementation of blue-green infrastructure solutions, which are extremely challenging to implement in a sensitive historic area that is densely woven with a network of roads, rivers, and technical infrastructure. Such initiatives also require the participation of numerous stakeholders with often contradictory goals.

Despite these difficulties, the city has already taken action and plans to continue implementing many investments aimed at unsealing the surface, introducing greenery, and rainwater management systems. During the tour, you will be able to see examples of the most difficult, effective, and efficient solutions. These include examples of urban greening and rainwater management systems in the axes of historic avenues.

Please note that this walking tour will take place outdoors, so suitable clothing and footwear are strongly recommended. 

---

Tour #2 - Krzycki Park

Duration: 3 hrs

Time: Precise times TBC, but it will occur on the morning of Monday 19 May between the hours of 9:00 – 13:00

Number of participants: max. 40

The tour includes a walk through Krzycki Park and along the riverbanks.

Experience the transformative story of Krzycki Park, a future green haven currently under development, where climate resilience meets innovative urban planning.

The announcement of the planned construction of a rainwater collector aroused protests from local residents and ecological organizations. The Mayor of the City of Wrocław, listening to these voices, suspended the investment and redesigned it - from concept to construction designs and implementation.

Learn how the City of Wrocław redefined its approach to rainwater management by preserving natural oxbow lakes and integrating modern water retention solutions. This decision, driven by community voices and ecological priorities, halted traditional construction plans, redesigned infrastructure, and laid the foundation for a sustainable urban park.

During the tour, discover how public consultations, stakeholder collaboration, and creative design turned challenges into opportunities. You'll explore preserved oxbow lakes, scenic bridges connecting green spaces, and open water reservoirs that blend seamlessly with nature—all forming the framework of this future park.

Please note that this walking tour will take place outdoors, so suitable clothing and footwear are strongly recommended.  

---

Tour #3 - Grow Green

Duration: 3 hrs

Time: Precise times TBC but it will occur on the morning of Monday 19 May and between the hours of 9:00 – 13:00

Number of participants: 25-30

The tour includes a walk through the courtyards of Olbin district and the location will be reached on foot.

This site visit is dedicated to the GrowGreen project demonstration site. The project created experimental solutions in the Olbin district, which is a densely built neighbourhood from the late 19^th Century, lacking greenery. The solutions included blue-green courtyards and green streets. Seven courtyard interiors and a green street were co-designed with residents and delivered in 2019.

Designs were based on NbS (Nature-based Solutions) and the results created oases of greenery which enable the management of rainwater, provide shelter from the heat, and reduce local temperatures, thereby increasing the city's resilience to climate change. The tour will show examples of blue-green courtyard implementations and the green street. The GrowGreen project was funded by the Horizon2020 program.

Please note that this walking tour will take place outdoors, so suitable clothing and footwear are strongly recommended. 

---

Tour #4 - Wrocław City Farm

Duration: 3 hrs

Time: Precise times TBC but it will occur on the morning of Monday 19 May and between the hours of 9:00 – 13:00

Number of participants: 30

The tour involves a visit to Wrocław City Farm and will be reached by coach.

Wrocław City Farm launched in May 2024. It combines sustainable food production with a circular policy and implements a social programme for long-term unemployed people.

The farm produces high quality crops and vegetables which end up on the tables of Wrocław nurseries, with the surpluses being managed by the NGO partner Fundacja Less More. In this way, nothing is wasted. CO2 emissions are minimised by using electric vehicles for all deliveries. An educational zone for children and youth is also being developed with a business partner, InPost.

The model of organizing the farm is highly innovative within the national context. Thirteen units from four different organizations - the city, universities, business, and NGOs - joined forces to develop and implement a cooperation model that has never been tested by any other city in Poland.

See how just a few hectares of land can help in the sustainable development of the city, protect biodiversity, and allow for the simultaneous achievement of environmental, social and educational benefits.

Please note that this trip includes exploring uneven, rough ground therefore appropriate footwear and clothes are strongly recommended.