Green retention – the future of Polish cities

In the face of growing problems with stormwater management in urban spaces, green retention is emerging as one of the most promising solutions. Blue-green infrastructure not only effectively reduces the risk of urban flooding and water pollution, but also contributes to significant improvements in air quality and urban biodiversity. Thus, green retention is becoming a key component of adaptation strategies that can radically change our approach to urban environmental challenges.

Green Retention Conference

The three-day Green Retention Conference, held in Gdansk, ended today. It was devoted to the topic of rainwater management using urban greenery. The event brought together nearly 250 experts from across the country to discuss new strategies and solutions to support green retention in Polish cities. The conference was organized by Gdansk Water, the Gdansk Water Foundation, the Polish Waterworks Chamber of Commerce and the city of Gdansk.

The first day of the conference was inaugurated by Piotr Grzelak, the Deputy Mayor of the City of Gdansk for the Affairs of the City of Gdansk. The company’s Director of Sustainability and Investment, and Ryszard Gajewski, President of Gdansk Water, presenting the goals and importance of green retention for urban stormwater management. The opening debate of the conference under the banner of the Water and Green Forum was moderated by Agnieszka Hobot, Editor-in-Chief of Water Matters. The debate was also attended by Joanna Kopczynska, President of PGW Wody Polskie, Magdalena Mlochowska, Director of the Coordinator of the Polish Water Management Agency. Green Warsaw, Andrzej Schleser, Director of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Gdansk, and again Piotr Grzelak. On that day, participants also had the opportunity to attend a field workshop on the practical aspects of green retention design and implementation and hydrodynamic modeling.

Next days of meetings and workshops

During the next two days of the conference, participants had the opportunity to further explore topics related to stormwater management through the use of green urban infrastructure. The program included plenary sessions, panel discussions and workshops focusing on data analysis, hydrodynamic modeling and green retention financing. They also discussed the protection of wetlands and trees in cities and the role of water utilities in implementing green retention. Participants gained practical knowledge during field trips to rain gardens and reservoirs, and debated climate change adaptation.

Green retention – challenges

Faced with the growing challenges of climate change, cities are facing the need to adapt to more frequent and intense weather events, such as heavy rains and heat waves. However, imbibing solutions based on green retention requires thoughtful spatial policy, technological innovation, and collaboration across sectors and disciplines. Key considerations for implementing these solutions include:

• Funding

One of the most important topics discussed at the conference was the financing of green retention projects. Effective stormwater management requires specific investments, all speakers stressed. Pawel Jaworski of the Ministry of Climate and Environment presented a national system for supporting the development of green retention, including both national funds and European funds. Piotr Czarnocki of the same ministry noted that available European funds can play a key role in implementing these projects. It is also necessary to create local and regional funding programs that will enable municipalities and cities to effectively implement green solutions.

Magdalena Młochowska also stressed the need for financial support for green retention projects, noting that the benefits of urban greenery are difficult to convert into money. She pointed to examples of reservoir restoration in Warsaw, where Pole Mokotowskie underwent a process of “de-conetration,” which revitalized the place with year-round water and water-purifying plants. Mlochowska noted that such initiatives inspire residents to do similar things, such as introducing hybrid flowerbeds, and perhaps creating rain gardens in the future.

• The need for education

The second important aspect addressed at the conference was education and raising public awareness of green retention. Ilona Biedroń of the Healthy River Foundation stressed that education is key to understanding the benefits of green retention and actively supporting such initiatives. Recent years have seen an increasing number of civic projects submitted by residents who recognize the need for sustainable stormwater management. Conference participants unanimously agreed that education is the foundation for the success of green retention.

• Cooperation at various levels

The third key element in the discussion was the need for cooperation at various levels – from local communities to national authorities. Piotr Grzelak noted that cities must cooperate with regional and national authorities, as well as with the private sector and NGOs. Such cooperation is essential for effective implementation of green retention projects. Joanna Kopczynska pointed out the need to create joint strategies and solutions to facilitate the implementation of retention projects. Examples of successful initiatives from different cities have shown that cooperation between different entities brings tangible benefits. They also discussed the need to create platforms for the exchange of knowledge and experience to better understand and implement green retention. Cooperation between scientists, engineers, urban planners and government officials is key to achieving long-term goals.

Wody Polskie is open to dialogue with water users for the development of the best solutions to counteract drought and flooding and to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. We support and implement good practices in water management, among which are activities for water renaturalization, protection of existing aquatic ecosystems or development of blue-green infrastructure – Joanna Kopczynska pointed out.

The Green Retention Conference has become a platform for experts and practitioners from all over Poland to exchange knowledge and experience on rainwater management. The three-day meeting made it possible not only to deepen the theoretical foundations, but also to acquire the practical skills necessary for effective implementation of green retention solutions. In this way, conference participants can help transform Polish cities into more climate-resilient and livable spaces.