As part of the international ReBioClim project, a key event was held in the town of Senica focused on the revitalization of urban streams. The project aims to support biodiversity, improve the urban microclimate, and contribute to a higher quality of life for city residents through nature-based water management solutions.
Goals of the Workshop
The event brought together local stakeholders, experts, and community representatives to:
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Co-design a nature-based revitalization plan for a section of the Teplica stream,
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Balance expert knowledge with local needs and interests of various groups,
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Develop a preliminary proposal that will serve as a basis for implementation in 2026.
The gathered insights and draft proposals will be compiled into a professional publication designed to help other cities plan similar nature-based solutions.
Model Revitalization: Teplica Stream
The workshop took place at the DAV cultural center and included the ReBioClim conference, which aimed to establish a model framework for revitalizing urban watercourses. The event was attended by representatives of the municipality, district authorities, local institutions, the fire brigade, environmental NGOs, as well as specialists from the Slovak University of Technology (Department of Water Management) and the Slovak Water Management Enterprise. Together, the participants explored solutions for healthier and more sustainable urban streams.
Key Insights from the Presentations and Site Visit
During the site visit to the park and the Teplica stream:
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Participants asked about the scale of potential changes,
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The current state of the riverbed vs. the desired natural condition,
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How to protect existing trees,
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The firefighters’ needs in relation to water access,
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Whether the stream still has natural features,
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How much revitalization could improve water quality,
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And how to tackle illegal discharges into the stream.
Highlights from the Final Discussion
Participants overwhelmingly agreed on several priorities:
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Make the riverbed accessible to people and children, e.g., through stairs or walkways and ford crossings,
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Use the site as an educational trail for schools, especially for biology or environmental classes,
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Create recreational spaces near the water,
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Adjust the area to support more animal species,
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Design the area for relaxation, meditation, and light sport,
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Ensure landscaping and maintenance, such as mowing.
Exceptional ideas included:
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Water-based educational elements for children, such as interactive water features powered by pumps,
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Using river water for learning activities, with water returned to the stream.
Next Steps
The outputs from this workshop will feed into the final proposal for Teplica’s revitalization, to be realized in 2026. The project in Senica serves as an inspiring example for other towns looking to restore urban waterways and bring nature back to cities.