Courtyards - green spaces of the community

Slovenia is warming up faster than the global average, leading to an increased number of extreme weather events that affect the quality of life. Urban areas consume more than 65% of energy and contribute to over 70% of global emissions, presenting a major challenge in the fight against the climate crisis. Some cities have specific urban advantages—courtyards, which represent potential inner green lungs of the city, especially in the densely built medieval centers. Since they do not have a clearly defined legal status, they are often neglected, degraded, turned into parking lots, waste disposal sites, or paved surfaces, reducing their ability to mitigate climate change and contribute to improving and understanding the urban microclimate.

 

The project "Courtyards – Green Spaces of the Community," co-financed by Eko Sklad, the Slovenian Environmental Public Fund, presents, promotes, and raises awareness about the importance of courtyards in urban areas as a key element in mitigating climate change. It focuses on creating green urban oases that reduce emissions, improve quality of life, and enable adaptation to extreme weather events.

 

Through public awareness campaigns, direct community interventions in courtyards, the transfer of good practices to other cities, in-depth analysis, and targeted advocacy, the project connects communities and provides opportunities for introducing nature-friendly solutions for sustainable development and greater urban resilience to climate change.