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Wrocław

Science-Region Debate: EU Climate Neutral, Smart Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change

 

On June 26th, the Academia Europaea Wrocław Knowledge Hub organized a roundtable debate Science-Region Debate. The event,  brought together leading experts, city planners, environmental scientists, community leaders and directors to discuss a strategic approach to urban development.

Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Venue: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Building A1, Senat Old Hall, Wroclaw

The aim of the meeting was to discuss how scientists could support Wroclaw in its transformation into a smart and climate-neutral city. This initiative aligns with the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities mission, which aims to achieve climate neutrality in 100 cities by 2030 through the creation and implementation of Climate City Contracts with the participation of citizens and local stakeholders, as well as in adaptive strategies and building resilience in the context of the EU Mission Adaptation to Climate Change.

Event participants included representatives from the Wrocław Hub Academia Europaea “Smart Cities” (Prof. Rafał Weron, Prof. Katarzyna Chojnacka, Anna Jarosz, Veronica Lott), the Center for Urban Innovation (Prof. Łukasz Sadowski, Dr. Anna Brdulak), the Ministry of Environment and Climate, the National Contact Point for EU Missions, and the Wrocław Center for Social Development.

Priority areas:

Energy and Buildings:

  • Thermal modernization of buildings
  • Renewable Energy Sources (RES)
  • Coal combustion in a combined heat and power plant

 

Water and Infrastructure:

  • Water (rainwater, surface water), water resources
  • Water retention, rain gardens
  • Hydrodynamic models (rainwater)
  • Blue-green infrastructure

 

Greenery and Environment:

  • Monitoring urban greenery
  • Greenery’s response to climate change
  • Quality of life (greenery)
  • Estimating ecosystem services

 

Education and Community:

  • Social education
  • Ethical code for graduates (responsible engineer, sustainable development)
  • Local education
  • Socially excluded individuals

 

Funding and Projects:

  • Funding adaptation actions
  • LIFE projects, funds from the Marshal’s Office, demonstrators, fast track
  • Cascading grants, investments, green public procurement
  • Theses commissioned by the city
  • Oceans and Waters Mission
  • Horizon-seed money

 

Upcoming Events:

  •  The “PWr for Cities” meeting organized by the Wrocław AE HUB Smart City and the Center for Urban Innovation in collaboration with the European Project Support Office and the Projects Department. The aim will be to form interdisciplinary teams that will jointly apply for projects with the city.
  •  Working meetings with representatives of the city of Wrocław and cities of Lower Silesia (Legnica, Wałbrzych, Jelenia Góra, and others) to establish national and European project consortia.
  •  The Smart and Climate Neutral Cities Panel during the Academia Europaea Building Bridges conference ( November 26-28)

 

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss supporting Wrocław in its transformation into a smart and climate-neutral city as part of the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities mission, which aims for 100 cities to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. Strategies for adaptation and building the city’s resilience to climate change were also discussed.

Participants in the discussion panel included:

Wojciech Adamski – President of TBS Wrocław
Prof. Barbara Widera – Wrocław University of Science and Technology, member of the Mission Board of the EU Mission Adaptation to Climate Change
Monika Pec-Święcicka – Deputy Director, Municipal Landscape Architect, Board of Urban Greenery, Wrocław City Hall
Ilona Ligocka – Department of Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change, Department of Climate Change Adaptation and Urban Policy
Magdalena Głogowska – National Contact Point for EU Missions, Global Challenges Section
Magdalena Okulowska – President of the Wrocław Agglomeration Development Agency
Tomasz Janoś – Director, Wrocław Academic Center
Prof. Rafał Weron – member of Academia Europaea, Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Dr. Anna Brdulak – Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Prof. Łukasz Sadowski – Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Thank you to all participants for their active involvement and fruitful discussions! Together, we can make Wrocław more sustainable and resilient to climate challenges.