#upscale

The project builts upon the transformative power of permaculture to elevate urban sustainability in two distinct, but interconnected regions: Budapest’s District VI in Hungary and the Košice region in Slovakia. It aims to tackle urban challenges, enhance the quality of life for residents, and contribute to climate change mitigation. Moreover, the project encompasses 3 overarching objectives: enhancing biodiversity and reconciling cities and society with nature; pilot testing urban permaculture design solutions and engaging stakeholders and fostering the future application of permaculture as green infrastructure.

Both target regions, District VI and the Košice region encounter shared urban challenges, including insufficient green spaces, dwindling biodiversity, and the pervasive urban heat island effect. In District VI, the urban landscape is dominated by concrete, with a mere 0.4 m2 of green space per person—well below the WHO recommendation. Similarly, the Košice region faces high population density, habitat fragmentation, and a lack of green surfaces, even in urban areas.

Green infrastructure is a tool for sustainable urban rehabilitation which enables the increase of green surfaces despite of the lack of open space. By applying urban permaculture solutions on previously unused, impermeable surfaces, the newly created green surfaces will increase the volume and diversity of flora and fauna, promote climate resilience and adaptation to climate change, mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce surface and air temperatures, improve precipitation management and air quality. Moreover, the practice of sustainable food cultivation within community gardens will contribute to taking steps towards the achievement of food sovereignty, as well as to becoming more aligned with nature.

As these permaculture installations are pioneering endeavors in urban design, they will serve as pilot projects, inducing future investments and collaborations. Stakeholders from various sectors, including local businesses and municipalities, will be involved in the project and capitalise the implementation process’s insights to drive future sustainability efforts. Furthermore, CBC networking events and trainings will empower the stakeholders to expand and exchange their knowledge. Finally, a comprehensive handguide will be developed and disseminated to inspire future initiatives and partnerships, fostering lasting urban sustainability and resilience.