The elimination of climatic extremes using vertical gardens in densely urbanised areas

This case study focuses on climate change adaptation strategy for densely urbanised areas. The phenomenon of heavy urbanization has significantly intensified during the last decades. Building constructions are still expanding, resulting in the decline or even elimination of green spaces. Not only does it cause the eradication of green spaces, but it also prevents unbuilt areas from the further development of green infrastructure. The pressure of developers urges the maximum use of urban areas for financial profit at the expense of greenery, which does not generate such profit. However, the benefits of greenery on human health are more significant, hence it is necessary to educate the public about these positive aspects and create and promote adaptation strategies for climate change. Furthermore, hydrological extremes are increasingly and more regularly repeating during the year, and it is necessary to create a green infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of these extremes. In severely and densely urbanised spaces, such as the historic city centres, there is no longer an option to provide areas for the possible further creation of green spaces. Therefore, in this case study we focused on the possibility of creating green infrastructure using the vertical gardens and bringing all the benefits of green spaces to vertical dimension, which does not require any land space. The example of the Old Town district of Bratislava, Slovakia was used in this case study. This proposal presents a selection of possible spaces for the creation of vertical gardens, which are also designed as an information system for visitors navigating them from major transport hubs to the city centre.