Be Ready Peer Review Visit in Galați

In early September, representatives from the Municipality of Ratiboř and the DEX Innovation Centre visited City of Galați, Romania, to observe the Be Ready project pilot activity. The visit was hosted by the Municipality and the Association Tehnopol of Galati.

Although the connection to the Danube River offers natural relief from the heat, residents living farther from the riverbank experience extreme temperatures each summer. That is why peer reviewers explored Micro 18—an area identified as an urban heat island, where long stretches of asphalt and rows of apartment blocks create a hot corridor. Here, the city introduced its first green-blue intervention at a bus stop, now surrounded by plants and equipped with a misting system to cool the air.

The pilot bus stop will serve as a test bed, providing data on efficiency, costs and public acceptance. The goal is to reduce thermal discomfort and make the city more climate resilient.

Peer reviewers shared experiences as well. Ratiboř presented its bioclimatic bus stop, which sparked discussion on citizen engagement methods. And Mayor Martin Žabčík highlighted the importance of transparent communication about climate challenges and solutions.

The visit concluded with a peer review session full of constructive feedback and ideas for future collaboration. Galați demonstrates that even modest steps, such as the introduction of green bus stops, can trigger wider change and bring the city closer to a cooler, healthier future. Through this pilot action, Galați is already looking beyond a single intervention towards an integrated strategy for a cooler, healthier and more resilient city.

Photos: DEX Innovation Centre and Municipality of Galați