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Description
Adaptation measures in residential areas are a set of projects in identified locations, the benefit of which lies in the change of surfaces from impermeable (asphalt) to permeable (thresh, greenery), which will increase the retained rainfall in the soil and support the retention potential of the site. By sowing grassland and planting trees, not only will further structuring of the soil be ensured, subsequently increasing its retention capacity, but also the microclimate at the site will be moistened and cooled.
Summary of project results
The project was implemented in selected locations on housing estates that had impermeable asphalt or concrete surfaces. This was replaced with a surface permeable to rainwater - mouldings, grassland, trees, shrubs and flower and herb beds. The original asphalt plazas took on a new look based on the wishes and needs of local residents, who could choose where to implement a sports field for children and where to create a relaxation area suitable for all generations. The biggest problem we had to solve during the implementation was the lack of time and the uncertainty of whether the weather conditions would be suitable for the project. However, we managed to achieve all the objectives - by replacing impermeable surfaces with permeable ones, the watering conditions at the site were improved and the soil structure was improved, while the planting of greenery helped to cool the ground surface and moisten the air. During the implementation, we removed a large amount of asphalt and concrete not only from the surface but also from other, deeper layers of soil, which increased the costs, but without these interventions we could not have achieved the objectives. A significant benefit and another objective was also the overall improvement of the appearance of the revitalised places, which is most appreciated by the local residents, who welcome the change and now like to use the formerly uninviting and not very nice places for sport, recreation and education.
In the first phase of our project, we engaged residents in a participatory process to gather their preferences for transforming local spaces. They chose between playgrounds or relaxing rest areas. For playgrounds, we replaced old asphalt and concrete with permeable marble surfaces, adding play features, lawns, trees, and flower beds. In recreation areas, we created gravel paths, planted trees and flowers, and installed benches. By removing impermeable surfaces, we improved rainwater absorption, helping plants grow and contributing to water retention in the soil. The project also increased the number of trees, providing shade and reducing surface temperatures in housing estates. Although we encountered unexpected challenges, like buried asphalt and damaged pavements, the transformation of these underused spaces into welcoming, greener areas has been met with positive feedback from residents. We hope these improvements encourage people to take better care of the spaces and enjoy the enhanced environment.
Thanks to the project, we have managed to improve the quality of the soil in the selected locations in terms of its composition and especially its water absorption capacity. By removing the old environmental burdens of surface and subsurface asphalt and concrete and replacing them with dirt, clay and greenery, we have achieved that the site will retain more rainfall than before. This will be used by the plants to grow and develop, but it will also moisten the site and reduce the real or at least perceived temperature of the inhabitants who will spend their leisure time here, relaxing or playing sport. In the future, trees will provide shade, plants and greenery will improve the microclimate and humidity. The temperature will also drop because the surface area of asphalt and concrete, which absorb and radiate heat to a large extent, has been reduced. Local residents are already enjoying the change and are happy to spend their leisure time in these places. We hope that this will continue to be the case in the future and that we will be able to carry out such projects in other places. In the middle of a housing estate, where there is a lot of concrete, many people live there and the temperature is really high on hot summer days, there is a real need for.