Green Sponge Buildings in Scandinavia

The future climate changes are probably the biggest single challenge facing the world in the coming years. In Scandinavia, the changing climate impose wetter winters and dryer summers - however, characterized by more frequent and heavier rainfall events. All things that burden our society - both economically, socio-economically and health-wise.

The purpose of the project "Green Sponge Buildings in Scandinavia" is to test and demonstrate how buildings can become an active climate adaptation solution in Scandinavian cities. The focus of the project is how green roofs and green walls on the buildings can alleviate the challenges with increasing rainfall and increasing flood risk, especially in urban areas. In the project, we will clarify the potential of green roofs and walls, and show that they can be an attractive climate adaptation solution for Scandinavia.

This will be done through a number of activities such as a mapping of the existing knowledge through literature study, interviews, workshops and meetings with relevant Scandinavian actors. Furthermore, the project partners will map potential partners (companies, knowledge institutions as well as municipalities and regions) for the main application. Another activity in the bridge-building project is to find out whether a scientific partnership can be established between Østfold University College, Scandinavia Green Roof Institute and VIA University College. This will take place during physical and online workshops as well as seminars in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, respectively. The goal is to build a common knowledge pool, get to know each other, collect data across the countries and establish contacts with stakeholders in Norway, Denmark and Sweden for use in the subsequent Interreg application.