Galați launches its first green-blue pilot: the Hygeia Green Bus Station

Galati Municipality has officially implemented its first pilot action under the Be Ready project. The Hygeia Green Bus Station introduces an innovative green-blue cooling solution in “Micro 18” area, which is one of the city’s most densely built and heat-exposed neighborhoods. Located on Brăilei Street in front of the Galati County Emergency Hospital, this pilot “bus station” demonstrates how small-scale, low-cost interventions can provide meaningful relief from the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect while improving comfort for daily commuters.

With less than 10% green space and dominated by high-rise collective housing, the “Micro 18” area experiences critical summer temperatures, intensified by concrete and asphalt surfaces that retain heat during the day and release it at night. This makes bus stops and pedestrian zones particularly uncomfortable for residents, hospital visitors, and vulnerable groups.

The pilot was developed through a structured and evidence-based approach. The municipality first identified the most affected areas through spatial and temperature analysis and then defined local needs and mitigation priorities. Designing the intervention involved collaboration between technical experts, municipal departments, and project partners. Consultations were held through the Local Climate Sandbox, while the Local Coalition Pact signatories contributed to discussions on the proposed blue-green solution.

The Hygeia Green Bus Station integrates vegetation and water-based cooling technologies into a single structure. Ivy-covered walls and low-maintenance greenery create natural shading and reduce surface heat absorption, while a misting system installed at the upper part of the roof provides passive cooling  when needed. Together, these elements create a cooler microclimate, with estimated temperature reductions of up to 3°C during peak summer conditions.

The pilot has already demonstrated tangible benefits, with waiting conditions at the bus having become noticeably more comfortable. The intervention has already improved waiting conditions for the approximately 1,000 daily users of the bus station, many of whom are elderly citizens or patients accessing the nearby hospital.

Public perception of sustainable urban interventions has improved, and discussions around climate resilience have gained visibility in local media and online platforms. The launch of the Hygeia Green Bus Station generated considerable public interest and media attention. The event was promoted through Facebook, LinkedIn, and local radio, while mainstream digital media outlets published dedicated articles.

Building on the success of the pilot, Galați Municipality plans to replicate similar green-blue bus stations in other dense and high-traffic areas along the city’s main corridors. The knowledge gained from this pilot will inform long-term urban planning, regulatory recommendations, and future adaptation strategies. As the city continues to integrate these solutions, the project marks an important milestone on the municipality`s path towards becoming a more climate-resilient and sustainable urban model within the Danube Region.