Ratiboř Pilot Project: Climate Adaptation in Practice

The Municipality of Ratiboř has successfully completed its pilot action within the Be Ready project in early autumn, showcasing how small municipalities can implement practical solutions for climate adaptation.

In cooperation with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Ratiboř carried out an Urban Heat Island Vulnerability and Risk Assessment to identify areas most affected by heat accumulation. Despite its rural character, the municipality faces specific microclimatic conditions that increase the risk of overheating, particularly along the main traffic route where the local bus stop is located.

This site was selected for intervention due to its exposure and daily use by residents of all ages. The structure applies several principles of environmental urbanism:

Two adiabatic panels use water evaporation to reduce local air temperature, powered by a rainwater retention tank that enables circular water management.
A green roof planted with succulents lowers surface temperature while requiring minimal maintenance.
A vertical green wall with climbing plants, rooted directly in open soil, ensures long-term growth.
The modular LOKi construction system supports energy efficiency, visual quality, and resistance to weather and vandalism.

The pilot also focused on citizen participation. During the preparatory phase, residents contributed through workshops and “perception maps” identifying areas of thermal discomfort. These results, combined with meteorological data, helped validate expert assessments. Citizen engagement continues after implementation through on-site and online feedback forms, which will be used by the local government for planning further adaptation measures.

The approach chosen in Ratiboř shows that adaptation to climate challenges does not have to be limited to urban centers. Even smaller municipalities can, thanks to well-targeted interventions, obtain highly functional space with environmental benefits. The combination of technology and nature-based measures here creates a model example that can be replicated in other locations in the Danube region with minimal modifications.

Photos: Municipality of Ratiboř