Local Stakeholder Meeting #2 - City of Katowice
Katowice's JUSTGREEN Meeting: Climate, Community, and Greener Futures
On November 23, 2024, Katowice hosted its second JUSTGREEN stakeholder meeting, aligning it with the city’s Climate Week—an initiative under the City of Science 2024. The event blended scientific insights, hands-on activities, and community-driven discussions, all aimed at exploring the link between climate change, public health, and urban greening.
A key highlight was The Climatic Face of Health, a special session dedicated to the impact of climate change on human well-being. Held at the Dr. Krzysztof Czuma Psychiatric Center and streamed online, the event featured expert lectures, including a talk by Prof. Dr. Hab. N. Med. Damian Ziaja on how rising temperatures affect chronic venous disease in urban settings. Meanwhile, Dr. Małgorzata Zdąbłasz shed light on the climate’s influence on the circulatory system.
The event then shifted to a more interactive format with the workshop Self-Perception of a Good Climate, led by psychiatrist Dr. Bartosz Wrona-Kamiński. Participants explored the psychological dimensions of climate change and mental well-being. The final stage took a hands-on approach—patients and attendees joined forces to plant bulbs in the hospital garden, reinforcing the therapeutic value of nature. Additionally, a symbolic hornbeam tree was planted as part of the Tree Planting for the Climate initiative, underscoring the importance of environmental stewardship.
Beyond the scientific discussions, a coffee meeting titled Friendlier for the Environment and Residents in the Face of Climate Change encouraged open dialogue about ecological challenges. Meanwhile, the JUSTGREEN project brought together residents and working group members at the BOKAWA café in Szopienice. The gathering showcased greening efforts from cities like Kraków, Łódź, and Gdańsk, sparking conversations on long-term urban greening strategies and citizen engagement. Attendees emphasized the need for better communication through social media, stairwell notices, and collaboration with the District Council. One concrete outcome was the decision to develop a greening intervention catalog—allowing residents to propose their own initiatives and take an active role in shaping a greener Katowice.
With a collaborative spirit and valuable insights gained, the meeting laid the groundwork for future actions within the JUSTGREEN project, bringing the city one step closer to a more inclusive and sustainable urban environment.