Transition News

TRANSITION NEWSTRANSITION NEWSTRANSITION NEWS

MAPPING WROCLAW’S TRANSITION MAPPING WROCLAW’S TRANSITION MAPPING WROCLAW’S TRANSITION

TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMYTO A LOW CARBON ECONOMYTO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY

Inside this Issue

Climate KIC helps Cities turn Plans into Action

3

Making Transitions Happen 5

Low Carbon Ci es Model 7 Green Cultural Walking Route 8

Construction Spin out Company Rethinks Sustainability

10

Valencian Pioneers propose Solar Powered Public Transport

11

100 years since the Great War 12

Urban Laboratories and Fab Labs

13

Personal Beliefs Key to Creating Successful Business in a Low Carbon Economy

14

EIT+ which was established in 2007, is a unique undertaking in Poland, dedicated to fostering innovation based on the co-operation of academ-ia, local government and innovative business. The company’s sharehold-ers are the largest universities in Wroclaw as well as the authorities of the city of Wroclaw.

EIT+ is currently developing its new Pracze Campus at a €120 million, the most significant Polish R&D invest-ment in recent years. A network of laboratories and offices, which are under construction, will be world class in equipment, infrastructure management and R&D support ser-vices.

The Pracze Campus aims to become a vibrant innovation village, truly sup-portive of the creative environment indispensable for the development of the Knowledge Based Economy. In-ternational colleagues from comple-mentary backgrounds such as busi-ness incubators, high technology companies, financial institutions and research will mingle in a collabora-tive and pleasant atmosphere. A dis-crete Science Park and Climate and Energy Park are also planned to be constructed on the premises.

EIT+ is also a founding partner in one of the six European Regional Innovation Communities (RICs) ded-icated to address the problem of cli-mate change. It is a newly created undertaking of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology aimed at developing and implementing new life-improving and pro-ecological technologies.

The strategic goal of the company is to organise and carry out interdisci-plinary research activities as well as knowledge management and transfer particularly in the following areas: biotechnology, medical technologies, nanotechnologies, advanced materi-als, telecommunication technologies and climate change.

This informative newsletter promotes the sustainable activities in Wroclaw with a focus on climate change, and specifically to transitioning from a fossil fuel economy to low carbon economy.

WROCLAW’S ECO WROCLAW’S ECO WROCLAW’S ECO

ACTIVITIES, SPACE AND INSTALLATIONSACTIVITIES, SPACE AND INSTALLATIONSACTIVITIES, SPACE AND INSTALLATIONS

Wrocławskie Centrum Badań EIT+ Sp. z o.o.

ul. Stabłowicka 147, 54‐066 Wrocław, POLAND T: +48 71 720 16 01 E: [email protected]

www.climate‐kic.org

Wroclaw’s

Dwarves

with

Umbrella

Have you ever thought about sustainability? Do you think that it is related to our daily life? Do you consider that we are more respectful towards the environment nowadays than 50 years ago because we separate our rubbish and put it in different coloured containers? Are we smarter than the previous generation due to the fact that we have more efficient appliances?

It can be considered that sustainability is a modern con-cept, but it is not. We can’t deny that the technology is leading the market to have more efficient buildings and equipment. Despite this fact, if we observe the current way of life, we use much more energy than before.

Some decades ago, the lack of resources led the people to use resources wisely, to take profit of all the materi-als and food they had, to use less energy, that is to say, to live in a more sustainable way. They didn’t separate the materials in different containers, but they were more respectful towards the environment. The most of the rubbish they had was organic matter that was used for fertiliser for growing crops. They didn’t have effi-cient boilers that we have nowadays, but they used warm clothes and blankets, and firewood when needed. They didn’t have LED technology, but they did their activities in daylight. They really knew how to be effi-cient.

The current consumption model is pushing society to-wards a resources crisis, increasing the price of the energy and materials, as well as other products and services. As more and more people need more and more resources a funnel is being created. We are in-

Looking Back to go Forward

Page 2 TRANSITION NEWSTRANSITION NEWSTRANSITION NEWS

The short film ‘X’ highlights Carmela’s low energy lifestyle as she takes us through her daily chores in Spain.

vaded by the consumer culture, exploiting fossil fuels reserves, raw materials and water resources. Resources are finite but we want to continue growing. This situation is pushing society to a collapse that will need a change of direction in our lifestyle. In this scenario it is crucial to recuperate the knowledge of our parents and grandparents, and to reflect on it, comparing their environmental impact and ours. Let’s use the technology for having more efficient buildings, equip-

ment and means of transport, but let’s use the knowledge of our ancestors and recuperate their sustainable practices. Let’s look back in order to build a more sustainable future and move forward to-gether. Carmen Castells E: [email protected]

T +34 96 171 7007

LinkedIn es.linkedin.com/in/ccastells/en


Wroclaw’s City Square, Rynek, One of the largest Market squares in Europe

Photo courtesy of Web

Many countries now need to turn plans into action. Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director

In the last number of years, global demographics have undergone major changes. There are more people living urban lives than in rural communities. Globally, we see towns and cities becoming a haven as work becomes increasingly concentrated in urban regions. This can lead to displacement and isolation for those leaving and those left behind. It can lead to overcrowding in cities built for less capacity, and disconnection for some. Stra-tegic planning is critical in the planets future with the added impetus of a climate change uncertainty factor. The focus on the urban environment is to build on pro-jects of Climate-KIC that create momentum with the local authorities in our regions and national centres.

Climate KIC is cross-disciplinary and the transition city model promotes acceleration to a low carbon economy. Transition Cities are resilient to climate change. By bringing together a network of regions and national cen-tres – a broad community of partners from business, academia, the public sector and passionate young entre-preneurs and students, our next change makers; Climate KIC addresses the non-technical barriers of social, insti-tutional, financial, behavioural and/or regulatory nature and develop products aimed to deploy and scale-up inno-vations.

This newsletter is a snapshot of some of the projects that are being developed in Wroclaw under the management of EIT+. It is important to understand the need to incor-porate sustainability and environmental issues across the whole remit of society. Whilst the transition city model is focused on Buildings, Energy and Transport to achieve an accelerated transition, sustainability aspects need to be incorporated into all city projects. In the summary of city plans for 2014, the city’s president Ra-fał Dutkiewicz emphasised that culture, innovation, education, free time, quality of life, housing and mobili-ty are the priorities for the city of Wroclaw. However,

Climate KIC helps Cities turn

Plans into Action

by Shirley Gallagher

environmental and sustainable measures have not yet been con-sidered for the major upcoming events in Wroclaw in the coming years. The city will host the European city of culture in 2016 and the World Games in 2017. Construction is currently under way in a number of venues in the city. Indeed, Wroclaw is a building site reminiscent of Ireland in the Celtic Tiger years and whilst the building fabric is a better standard than that in Ireland a decade ago it is not standardised to European Building Performance Di-rective as the national government have not yet acted on this Eu-ropean Stipulation.

This is not unusual, UK government on one hand is promoting ’green new deal’ a scheme to allow residents to transition to cleaner fuel, yet on the other hand is attempting to maximise its fossil fuel outputs.

The general public are confused and need to hear a clear con-sistent message that the time is now to make change happen. The facts are that if change does not happen now the planet’s tempera-ture will go beyond the predicted ‘tipping point’ of 2°C sooner rather than later-IN OUR LIFETIME. Climate Change Scientists are rewriting models as their predictions are happening now rather than in the predicted 250 years. 1 in 100 year floods are happen-ing frequently, often every 5-10 years. Wroclaw, like many major cities had a flood in 1997 and much of the UK was under water last winter as record rainfalls fell. The combined global surface temperature for the January–September period (year-to-date) was 0.68°C above the 20th century average of 14.1°C tying with 1998 as the warmest such period on record (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/#ref).

Fortunately, there has been a decision by the European Leaders on 24th October 2014 to reduce their carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. Whilst this is of course important, the agreement does not provide key milestones to guide the leaders and our countries to achieving this step. In fact it allows for further mis-information to gather steam for the next 16 years. With the next COP21 due in Paris in 2015, it is hopeful that binding action will be taken next year by all UN member states, however it appears we all agree we save the planet but just not yet.


‘A binding 40% CO2 reduction effort domestically in Europe is not an easy task. It can only be achieved through a major transformation in all parts of the so-ciety. That is why the EU leaders' decision to adopt the Commission's proposal is an ambitious and important step forward.’

Connie Hendergaard. EU Commissioner for Climate Action

By developing a systematic, clear consistent message, the Transition City Programme can develop Wroclaw into a city that is more conducive to live, work and play in for all the right reasons. Perhaps by using Whistler’s model for the Winter Olympics in Canada 2010, Wroclaw can emulate the drive of Whistler by recreating the model Mayor Ken Melamud used and by having a systematic sustainable policy across all remits of the city from government, business, educa-

tion and communities. Whistler remains a top ski resort whilst driving sustainability through carbon offsetting and raising awareness through sport.

Cont’d from p3

Rowerowy Wroclaw.

Bicycle Organisa on

The first Transition Town was set up in Kinsale, Ireland by Rob Hopkins. He has since moved to Totnes where Transition Network was formed. It has a simple mis-sion - to inspire, encourage, connect, support and train communities as they adopt and adapt the transition mod-el on their journey to urgently rebuild resilience and drasti-cally reduce CO2 emissions.

The project is bringing together vari-ous stakeholders required to achieve the EU target of 20% reduction in Car-bon and 20% increase in renewable energies by the year 2020. The main strategic challenge to becoming a Transition city is to create a low car-bon culture that engages companies, communities and citizens to reduce their impact and connect globally on the climate change challenge.

Wroclaw along with Birmingham, UK, Hessen, De, Budapest, Hu, Valencia, Es, Bologna IT and the Hague, NL have come together to use their know-how and innovate to make a difference in their cities. The transition city EU funded project is focused on 3 themes with a sustainable link connecting them.

These are Building, Energy and Mobil-ity.

Buildings This is a critical theme to focus on as 40% of Energy is used by buildings in the European Union (www.eceee.org/buildings/EPBD_Recast/EPBD_recast_19May2010.pdf). The 2010 directive states measures need to be taken to measure and im-prove the energy performance of build-ings with respect to climate and local conditions as well as the indoor envi-ronment. This directive had to be transposed into national law by the 9th July 2012. However in July 2014, the Commission referred both Poland and Austria to Court due to their inaction at a national level . (IP/14/813). The fine was set at a daily penalty of 96,720 € for Poland. Imposing minimum energy require-ments in buildings aims at providing


Making Transitions Happen

Wroclaw by Adam Mortka Courtesy of Facebook‐Wroclaw ExPats Group

Wroclaw’s Dwarf with Duck may know something about climate change.! Preparing for the worst! Some may remember the floods if 1997. Photo courtesy of Web

environmentally friendly market incentives both for the renovation of existing buildings and for the con-struction of 'nearly zero en-ergy buildings', i.e. build-ings which consume very little energy thanks to excel-lent insulation, their orienta-tion towards the sun, energy-efficient heating and cool-ing systems, etc.

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency

However, as Wroclaw re-mains a building site in many parts of the city but in particu-lar the ‘old town’, it is a un-fortunate the new builds are using old technology and will possibly not conform to the pending EPBD law.


Biomass such as wood logs, chips or pellets create local jobs by growing trees, management of forests, logging, treating and bringing to market. The town of Gussing, Austira have created a whole industry around their forests and converting to a low carbon economy. Photo courtesy of Web

Mobility The focus for Wroclaw for Mobility is to reduce fossil fuelled transport. The city has an impressive plan to con-vert many of the trams to ‘save braking energy’ and to inte-grate new low energy buses.

There are exciting projects for Schools which focus on lower carbon methodology. See p10 for Pioneer in Practise, Carmen Castellis report.

Energy By using the cross-disciplinary teams the transition can be accelerated to a low carbon econ-omy resilient to climate change. The non-technical barriers of social, insti-tutional, financial, behavioural or regulatory nature are explored and products are developed aiming to deploy and scale-up innovations.

Our focus on the urban environment is to build on projects of Climate-KIC that create momentum with the local authorities in our regions and national centres.

Our network of regions and national centres – a broad community of part-ners from business, academia, the public sector and passionate young entrepreneurs and students, our next change makers.

Solar PhotoVoltaic Panels

Users in Wroclaw an expect a Maxi-mum Yield in 986 kWh/kWp*Y (Source JRC,PV-GIS).

One of Wroclaw’s Running Routes

Dr Shirley Gallagher

Contact Details p8

EKO-BIEGŁY® is an association whose objective is to provide professional environmental management by providing knowledge and support in the area of environ-mental protection, law, economy and engineering. Sustain-able development comes from the need of a rational man-agement of limited natural resources. EKO-BIEGŁY® is working on a “Low Carbon Cities” project that promotes the implementation of innovative environmental solutions in the major European urban areas in order to reduce CO2 emission to the atmosphere by 20% before 2020 and, in the consequence, improve the quality of life in these cities. After applying a wide diversity of green solutions in many

European cities to reduce CO2 emissions, the conclusion obtained is that the best way to improve environmental conditions is to combine all this activities. For that reason, is very important to take into account the triangle of sus-tainable development goals. This project presents some challenges and prospects to Wroclaw city, in terms of space, culture and energy. First-ly, it is proposed a new city planning system (from mo-nocentric to polycentric city), covering the study of the microclimate, sustainable urban development (smart cit-ies), public transport (electric vehicles, creating a network of bike rentals) and new green routes (expansion of bicycle paths). Secondly, promoting a greater participation of local cultural centres and further integrate the Odra river into city life (sport activities, boat-tram,). And finally, increase the diversification of renewable energy sources (solar, wind and water energy) and implementation of new energy efficient solutions in modern construction.


LOW CARBON CITIES MODEL, for a sustainable Wroclaw development

Inés Monfort, Pioneer in Practise

Inés Monfort Escrig is a graduate in Chemistry and has a Master's de-gree in Integrated Qual-ity, Environment and Prevention. After work-ing at the University Jaume I in some nation-al research projects related on characteriza-tion of chemical com-pounds by physical techniques, she joined to the department of

Applied Chemistry of the Energy Technological Institute (ITE) in May 2013. Currently, she is actively involved in several R+D+i projects, that are focused on sustainable materials development for energy storage (Batteries of Li-polymer or Redox, and Supercapacitors), materials and components for electrolyzers and Fuel cell (PEMFC and DMFC), energy renewable sources, energetic characteriza-tion of biomass and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Further information at E: [email protected] T +34 96 136 66 70 LinkedIn: es.linkedin.com/in/inesmonfort/

Walking School Bus

Photo courtesy of Carmen Castellis


Wroclaw city council and EIT+ are involved in promoting transitioning to using less fossil fuels in the economy. We are planning to cre-ate a 'green' eco walking cultural route of the city. This will have an online presence and anyone interested is welcome to get in-volved. This will help promote local 'eco' businesses and make tourists aware of Wroclaw's green side and help meet the city council's EU obligation to meet the 20:20 tar-get by 2020. It is hoped that it will encourage Eco Tourists to visit Wroclaw as a holiday des-tination. A database will be created of interested parties, business, organisations and individuals are all welcome. A schedule is being prepared and will be published. This will include training, information days, media coverage and The route, map and website can be generated in time for 2016. It will raise the profile of green, local and sustaina-ble practises

1. Create a network for eco business and promote why it makes sense to get involved.

2. Carry out training sessions for business in large and small groups to identify business practises and products and plan for future.

3. Establish Sectors Retail Hospitality Organic/Local Food Construction (target building in transition city) Transport 4. Establish Focus Areas and groups Energy Consumption Energy Production Water Waste Mobility Organic Food Local Food/Products 5. Support a walking culture by integrating Walk 21 charter into EIT+ policies. 6. Create a walking training programme for walking leaders. 7. Create a platform for a network between walking leaders. 8. Scope the requirements for an audio visual (AV) memory map of the city. 9. Scope the requirements for a future map of the city including installations both temporary and permanent.. 10. Research, design and implement a transition city walking culture route that will be launched during in 2016. 11. Research and scope requirements for design of a foldable paper map, website suitable for several devic-es (web, tablet, mobile) 12. Develop a workshop concept for transition cities to establish stakeholders in Wroclaw who will provide guidance, leadership and implementation in urban de-sign and planning, with a focus on low energy mobili-ty and buildings as well as remembering the past.

New Green Cultural Walking Route Planned for Wroclaw The European Capital of Culture in 2016

Dr Shirley Gallagher is trained as a scientist and an experienced event manager, diplomat and social media user. Cooperative thinking and working is part of her makeup.

Shirley doesn’t have all the answers but her ability to bring people together and motivate them makes her a game changer. She works for the sustaina-ble consultancy, SysPro;Systems for Progress Limited

Contact Details E: [email protected] Skype:shirleyatsyspro Twitter: shirleyatsyspro

Linkedin shirleygallagher

Facebook Group

Sustainable Islands


Wroclaw city council and EIT+ are involved in promoting transitioning to using less fossil fuels in the economy. We are planning to create a 'green' eco walking cultural route of the city. This will have an online presence and anyone inter-ested is welcome to get involved. This will help promote local 'eco' businesses and make tourists aware of Wroclaw's green side and help meet the city coun-cil's EU obligation to meet the 20:20 target by 2020. It is hoped that it will encourage Eco Tourists to visit Wroclaw as a holiday destination. A database will be created of interested parties, business, organisations and individuals are all welcome. A schedule is being prepared and will be published. This will include training, information days, media coverage and The route, map and website can be generated in time for 2016. It will raise the profile of green, local and sustainable practises and improve efficiency and costs.

New Green Cultural Walking Route Planned for Wroclaw The European Capital of Culture in 2016 cont’d

Climate KIC cities host the Innovation festival bringing together a wealth of knowledge on Climate change to one place once a year. In 2013, Wroclaw was the host city and this year Valencia will be the backdrop. The Pioneer, Dr Shirley Gal-lagher used Picasso’s Bull to connect the two places. It has been the backdrop of the Tau-romachia Adverts for the Pi-casso, Dali and Goya fascinat-ing exhibition that is running in Wroclaw’s Architectural Mu-seum. There has been contro-versy as many of the exhibits are copies (lithography). The cost is on par to the V&A, London is another issue. The 3 day festival provides a plat-form to network and share in-formation on the work carried out of the last 6 months.

Climate KIC’s Annual Fes val is here. Birmingham is host In 2015,

Picasso’s Tauro looking rather green as we join the dots to create a low carbon economy in Transition Cities

SWOT is a company which was created to design and pro-mote the project SUN ARK. The implementation and intro-duction of this state of the art design is pivotal to bring a sus-tainable solution to populations in need of immediate multi-functional and energy independent sheltering. SUN ARK is a break-through solution for modular, innovative and flexible lodging that can bring fast relief to population in need. SUN ARK is a free standing energy generating multifunctional building that can be placed anywhere without the need of foundations. The features characterizing Sun-Ark are:

Features

Containerized transportation

Easy assembly with no foundation needed

Sustainable structure in Wood or steel.

Integrated energy storage system

Insulated structure- roof and walls (U value)

RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION

Energy is produced using integrated Solar Photovoltaic Pan-els (PV) system on a unique slope roof (edge shape building) which is optimised for self consumption. Energy is used in the form of water pumping, and for heat and light

SUNARK provides energy and shelter for

Construction Spin out Company Rethinks Sustainability using Renewa-ble Technology for Complete Solution to Off Grid Situation

MULTIFUNCTIONALITY for off grid solutions

shelter for people, refugee camps

Hospitals, Schools, Farming, Animals, Green house

SWOT cooperates with Governments, Charitable Organiza-tions, NGOs and private companies. For further infor-mation please contact Jerzy Kasperowicz.

Bloomfield’s Engineering Director visits Poland as a Pioneer in Practice to work with SWOT

Roberto Colucci is an electrical engineer specialized in turnkey renewable energy solutions including solar both photovol-taics and thermal, micro wind and micro hydroelectric systems, energy storage, efficiency and management. He is a Co-Founder of Bloomfield involved in design, build and operation (DBO) of sustainable energy plants. Other sustainable projects include LED lighting, passive wooden houses, and smart energy systems. Mr Colucci also is a certified Profes-sional Engineer and Lead Auditor ISO50001. Bloomfield is a member of a the Italian consortium CEIR.


Sunark provides integrated Energy and Shelter Solu ons FAST

The climate change issue Despite major efforts being made by the cities of our socio-cultural environment, to reduce greenhouse gas and improve quality of life of its inhabitants, the majority of our cities are dependent on contaminant based fossil fuel resources for public transport systems. Public Transport is a balancing act as municipalities need to respond, simultaneously, to the needs of users, meet speed and frequency criteria; comply with stringent rules on budgetary adjustment, which includes the monitoring of the derivative costs of the longevity of the urban bus fleet, its maintenance and fuel consumption per kilome-tre. In many European cities there are prototype buses being developed to test fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen, bio-fuel, etc. slowly moving away from conventional ones. Technology is being used to analyse consumption, securi-ty, number, accessibility and speed of charging points etc. Replacing the fleet due to obligations on low carbon transport initiatives is a significant cost to the battered budgets of many municipalities of Europe. In the framework of the “Pioneers into Practice” PIP Pro-gram, driven by the European project Climate-KIC, a team of three Valencian and one Portuguese “Pioneers”, have developed an idea that would allow significant fuel savings and a important CO2 emission reduction in bus fleets. The idea of the “Solar Adhesive” project basically con-sists in an installation of photovoltaic solar cells system on the exposed surfaces of each city bus. They obtain energy which is used as electricity in operation (air con-ditioning, Heating, internal and external lighting, ramps and doors).

Valencian Pioneers propose Solar Powered Public Transport Some of the perovskite-based photovoltaic materi-als, which are used in research in laboratories led by teams from Jaime I University of Castellón and Valencia University, could be used to generate electricity. Using existing technologies on the market, the photovoltaic solar cells that the team intends to use are transparent, flexible and incorporated in poly-mer based on electricity conductive that can be adhered and adapted to any surface. Without mod-ifying the aesthetic appearance, the solar PV cells are intended to reduce installation costs, avoid overweight that could distort its purpose or which could change the intended structure, or which could require maintenance. Electricity storage using high storage capacity graphene batteries could also be implemented. Care would be taken to ensure performance and safety regulations would be maintained or exceeded. Estimated ROI Predictions Using existing technology and optimal efficiency, the return on investment (ROI) is estimated at 6-8 months. In addition, with a system like the one suggested, each bus could stop emitting an average of 14 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per annum. A pi-lot scheme is pending. The role of Climate-KIC Transitional thinking was used to perform the vari-ous analyses and studies to reach these preliminary conclusions. This methodology is taught and ap-plied in Climate-KIC PIP 2014. They have devel-oped the idea in an environment of healthy compe-tition and mutual collaboration, which puts into direct contact the talent and creativity, often bril-liant, of many European professionals working tirelessly for a better world, fighting against cli-mate change and helping us to be adapted to it. Inés Monfort,

Pioneer in Practise

(p6 for details)


Europe’s Bus Fleet


The cartoon of Guernica, Picasso’s interpretation of the rebellion at Guernica-has become one of the world renowned anti war statements since it was created in 19XX. Currently on show at Wroclaw’s Architectural Museum

http://www.wroclaw.pl/tauromachia-wroclaw-wystawa-picasso-dali-goya

It has been 100 years since the beginning of the Great War. It was called the Great War because for the first time, man had invented weapons of mass destruction. The use of machinery escalated death to levels never seen before. As we have im-proved our technology, we have supersed-ed our ability to cause harm and shame on many by using our very clever brains to maim and kill. This year I visited the UK’s National Arboretum in the West Midlands. It was a beautiful day. There are beautiful gardens, each garden com-memorates the dead. Many are soldiers but there is a garden for the innocents, and for the Women’s Institute and other non military personnel. The innocents have a tree dedicated to Anne Frank, it is pruned each year so it will never flower and ma-ture like those it is dedicated to. There

100 years since the Great War

was a soldiers regiment there, praying and playing the brass band marches. I am an Irish Nationalist at heart and a true pacifist, it does make me sad and wonder on the sheer madness of war as the world teeters on tenterhooks as Russia, China and the Middle East erupt yet again. Driving through the French and Ger-man country side on the highways and byways, there were many acknowledgements of the wars. The sad-ness in Wroclaw is tangible, 70% of the city lay in ruins after the war in 1945. After a bitter siege with the red army. It was the last Nazi city to fall The res-idents of Lower Silesia of the time were sent West and those Poles that had been East moved back. I was on a tour to Walim, and I met a German whose family were ousted after the war. He spoke with sad-ness that the legacy is lost as we wandered around the Lutheran Graveyard at the Peace Church in Swidnica-looking for a gravestone with his name on it.

I also visited Auschwitz but that is another tale.

Shirley Gallagher


Urban Laboratories and Fab Labs

The fablab concept is from the esteemed US college, MIT and they are popping up throughout the world. There are 350 fablabs registered with the foundation. Dr Gallagher proposes that a Fab Lab, a hacker space where people can get there hands on materi-als, kit and technology to develop into some-thing truly amazing is creatd in Wroclaw. It could host adult and children activities in-cluding sustainable learning, coderdojo www.coderdojo.com and arts and crafts. Creativity is the key and the sky is the limit when the imagination is let loose. Wroclaw could create a space that could springboard new inventions, ideas and investments.

Figure Geodesic Dome made from Milk Jugs (Milk Carton Igloo)

This project building igloos teaches children waste, reusing, logistics, on time delivery, mathe-matics, architecture and art. As well as being a fun activity and creating a play space that can be used afterwards

Figure Warsaw Fab Lab Session

(h ps://www.facebook.com/FabLabWarszawa)

GTAmbiente di Gualdi Andrea – Acus ca e Energe ca

via Bosco n. 9 – Campogalliano (MO), Italy

cell: 348 31 67 494

e‐mail: gualdian‐[email protected]

home: www.gtambiente.com

Linkedin URL: it.linkedin.com/in/gualdiandrea/

Andrea Gualdi has a background in environmen-tal engineering and is a life long learner having a broad palette of skills in the area of climate im-pact assessment. He has been a local Campogal-liano's councillor and was responsible for envi-ronmental practises. His strengths include ener-gy design, noise certification for building, with a focus on energy audits and building energy per-formance. He has recently been a finalist in Life+ European ECO Courts AWARDS with project: “ASAC ECLOD ASAC” – The story my family.

Andrea worked on a retrofit for building plan that is currently in a grant application and not available for public consumption at present. He used SketchUp, a google 3D software package to highlight changes in building.

Urban Labs will be the first in Central and Eastern Europe the urban tech-nology center developing and implementing of solutions dedicated to towns and cities to improve the quality of life. Created research infrastructure will serve the development of modern technology in everyday life of people liv-ing in areas of high population density. The subject of research and demon-stration projects will address the following areas: climate change, efficient transport, urban planning, municipal engineering and ICT, and new social models. It will be focused on strengthening Wrocław as a family-friendly city. It will Facilities will be a base available to researchers, the existing companies in the market, as well as those wishing to enter the market. All users of the infrastructure will be equipped with the tools to carry out the necessary analyzes, through which it will be possible to develop innovative models, creating prototypes, conduct necessary tests leading to the creation of solutions as a result of which other European cities and metropolitan are-as will benefit by improving the quality of life of their inhabitants. With the full integration of the city and projects in the field of Urban Labs Wroclaw will be able to join the most technologically advanced cities in Europe, while specializing in urban technologies with high market potential. Thanks to created, developed and implemented solutions, specially new social mod-els, the quality of life in Wroclaw will increase significantly, and emissions and energy consumption will be reduced.


Mr. Francesco Rosso CEO and leader of a three companies group (Gruppo Editoriale Macro - Macrolibrarsi, Golden Books, La fattoria dell’ Autosufficenza) shows us how he is capable to contributing towards a low carbon society in a positive and active way. His personal believes and drive are focused on combining local community involvement, respect of the environ-ment, social aspects taken in great consideration, employees satisfaction, sustainability on the product and services offered to the customers and company’s facilities sustainability. Among the most impressive skills of Francesco are the capacity of being innovative and strongly connected to the local community in order to develop low carbon projects that are both very sustainable and profitable. It is strong, in him, the belief that the World is going through a great transitioning period. Being “The example” to the “regimes” is the way he wants to change the status quo. This is the idea that Francesco believes in. The local public institutions represent the main regime which he addresses by showing to the regime itself that a business can be at the same time very profitable and socially and environmentally sustainable. The examples and the change need to rise anyway from the bottom and the bottom is us: the people, the community, employees and customers. The company management takes in great consideration the employees’ happiness and measures its own success in making sure that people love to work for the company. Motivation and respect leads to a shared success.

‘La Dolce Vita’ DFrancesco Rosso, Gruppo Macrolibrarsi, with Roberto Colucci, Bloomfield, Pioneers in Prac se, Italy 2014

Personal Beliefs Key to Creating Successful Business in a Low Carbon Economy

Pioneers in Practise

Luigi Lena is an architect, partner founder of F+LR architettu-ra, involved in sustainable and eco friendly buildings and city design, energy improvement and retrofitting of existing build-ings, renewable energy use applied on cities and buildings. Luigi approaches design by taking into account two points of view: one technological and performance-based, and the sec-ond one concerning new relationship between people, archi-tecture and landscape and generating identity with a greater creative empathy. The integrated use of up-to-date knowledge, advanced technology and responsible thinking is essential for a low impact, comfortable and affordable environment. Luigi was also involved in building project that is private at present.

Contact details T +39 335 5925959

it.linkedin.com/pub/luigi-lena/4b/893/aa1 Email [email protected] / [email protected]


EIT+ is based in a campus which also hosts the Humanitarium which opened in September offering chemical, optical and acoustic lessons in a fun way. Humanitarium Kampus Pracze Wrocławskiego Centrum Badań EIT+ ul. Stabłowicka 147A 54-066 Wrocław tel. 71 734 70 00 (telefon czynny od 9:00 do 15:00) [email protected]

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This informative newsletter was created as part of Climate KIC Pioneer’s in Practise Programme 2014 as part of an information guide on what’s green in Wroclaw. The newsletter has been pro-duced by Dr Shirley Gallagher, SysPro; Systems for Progress Limited in conjunction with other Pio-neers in Practise, 2014. Photographs and images were not credited have been obtained from the In-ternet and gratitude is given for their use.

Please contact Shirley for further information-Twitter @shirleyatsyspro or further details p7.

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