Green roof, clean air and water in urban space? It’s possible!

On May 22, 2025 during the International Day of Biodiversity, Instytut Ekologii Terenów Uprzemysłowionych organised a meeting with the amazing students from Nasza Dobra Szkoła as part of the Katowice PlaceLab activities under UPSURGE project.

Special thanks to Prof. Edyta Sierka from the University of Silesia – expert of Katowice Competency Group, who gave an inspiring presentation on nature-based solutions (NBS) – with a special focus on green roofs, which are transforming urban landscapes worldwide.

The students dove deep into:

• The types, construction, and functions of green roofs
• Global examples of green infrastructure
• Hands-on activities including:
  • Building a model green roof in the schoolyard
  • Experiments on water retention
  • Analyzing soil mixtures
  • Exploring the importance of urban biodiversity

The enthusiasm, curiosity, and teamwork were truly inspiring. It’s clear that young minds are ready to build a greener future — one rooftop at a time!

A huge THANK YOU to the students, teachers, and parents for your incredible energy and support!