Applying the Stockholm Solution to enhance Green Infrastructure in Austrian Cities and Towns.

Tackling the effects of climate change and providing a sustainable environment is becoming increasingly crucial for European cities and Towns. In the Austrian Province of Styria, two good examples show the multiple benefits of an integrated and cross-departmental approach in planting trees with innovative solutions.
The Association of Municipal Authorities ‘Ökoregion Kaindorf’ (c6.000 inhabitants) and the City of Graz (c280.000 inhabitants) are both applying the ‘Stockholm Solution’ for planting trees in urban and sub-urban areas. The specific method was developed and promoted by Bjorn Embren in City of Stockholm, Sweden. Due to its structure and integrated approach, the Stockholm Solution provides trees with better growing conditions and has numerous ‘side-effects’ like stormwater management, infrastructure integration and climate change adaption. Improved conditions for city trees lead to enhanced positive effects of Green Infrastructure and to more cost-effective measurements for public authorities.
The Ökoregion Kaindorf is enhancing and adopting the Stockholm Solution by also integrating the benefits of bio-charcoal into the plant bed. Thus, the nutrient supply is enhanced and the potential as a CO2 sink is improved. Both examples in Kaindorf and Graz also show an increased cross-departmental collaboration (eg. between the green and road infrastructure department) because this method generates win-win-situations also in terms of cost-effectiveness.