The Fate of The Climate Is in Your Rainwater | Košice

As part of the seminar, Martin Pavlov delivered a presentation titled “The Fate of the Climate Is in Your Rainwater,” sharing practical experiences and inspiring examples of rain gardens, sustainable rainwater management, permaculture and community-based urban greening initiatives. A central message of the presentation was the importance of treating rainwater as a valuable resource rather than something to be removed from urban areas as quickly as possible. Conventional urban development has often prioritized draining rainwater from roofs, roads and other impermeable surfaces. Nature-based solutions offer a different approach: retaining water where it falls, allowing it to infiltrate the soil and supporting vegetation and biodiversity. Through examples of landscape restoration and urban rainwater management, the presentation demonstrated how relatively simple interventions can contribute to healthier urban ecosystems. Rain gardens were a key focus of the seminar. These shallow, planted depressions collect runoff from surrounding paved surfaces and allow water to gradually infiltrate into the ground. Using photographs of real projects, Martin Pavlov illustrated the transformation of ordinary urban spaces into functional green infrastructure. The presentation followed several rain garden projects from initial site conditions through excavation, construction and planting to established, biodiverse green spaces. Practical design considerations were also introduced, including the size and depth of rain gardens, their positioning in relation to buildings and vegetation, and the importance of providing safe overflow routes during heavy rainfall. Beyond managing stormwater, rain gardens can enhance urban biodiversity, improve the appearance of public spaces and create more pleasant environments for local communities.

The seminar also explored other examples of urban greening, including vegetated streets, community gardens, green walls and permeable surfaces. Particular attention was given to the role of local communities in transforming neglected or underused urban spaces into greener neighbourhoods. Examples of collective gardening and neighbourhood activities illustrated how environmental improvements can also encourage social interaction, cooperation and shared responsibility for public spaces.

On 26 March 2026, People and Water organized a Nature-Based Solutions Exploration Seminar in Košice, Slovakia. The seminar brought together participants to explore how small-scale nature-based solutions can help cities become greener, healthier and more climate-resilient.