CITY — CLIMATE
Břeclav has been striving to improve public spaces in the city center for a long time. The main problems are heavy traffic, poor quality and maintenance of public spaces and the climate. In the summer months, people in Břeclav suffer from excessive heat and public spaces and greenery are not well prepared for these extremes. There are large asphalt and concrete surfaces in the city center, which accumulate heat and prevent the natural infiltration and water cycle that works in the open countryside.
Therefore, together with the city, we tried to find basic principles that would improve the appearance, function and especially the microclimate of the central pedestrian zone and adjacent squares. In the study, we focused on the use of elements of the so-called blue-green infrastructure, or greenery and water areas in the built environment.
-350 t CO2
Compensation of CO2 using biochar.
♻ -1300 m3
Annual savings of fresh water.
◎1,1 km
New pedestrian paths.
ARCHITECTURE
The main goal is to make the public space work well and be followed by quality services. Therefore, it is important that the owners of local businesses also participate in the discussion. We propose the reorganization of transport, new surfaces, furniture and the form of greenery, which would be the responsibility of the city. We also try to inspire private owners and local businesses with suitable examples, for example better presentation of shop windows or placement of outdoor advertising. As part of the design, we proposed changes in public spaces stretching from the TGM square towards the railway station. We have designed 6 typical sections through these areas and set out the main principles for the revitalization of outdoor areas, facades and street and park greenery.
SUSTAINABILITY
Trees in the city act as natural air conditioning. They evaporate water, shade the street space and increase biodiversity. Therefore, it is important to ensure their health and proper growth. We propose new plantation and revitalization of existing greenery with use of modern structural soil substrates that protect trees from excessive soil compaction, pollution from traffic or droughts. We design new rain water management with features such as rain gardens, bio swales or fountains connected to rain water accummulation tanks.
In places where we can't plant greenery, we propose additional shading or use of materials that are reflective, do not accumulate heat and thus reduce the urban heat island. The result is an urban environment that is pleasant and serves the residents even during the climate extremes such as droughts, heat waves or cloud-bursts.
