I About the project
Our overall objective is to create, test, and scale up a new generation of multi-functional green roofs
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Cities in the South Baltic region are increasingly dealing with heavy rainfall, urban heat islands, and the need to reduce CO₂ emissions—challenges that no single municipality or institution can solve in isolation. The “BalticGrow” project addresses this common struggle by advancing green and blue-green roof solutions designed to improve stormwater management, lower rooftop and ambient temperatures, enhance local biodiversity, and, where possible, integrate renewable energy production (especially solar). Our overall objective is to create, test, and scale up a new generation of multi-functional green roofs across Denmark, Lithuania, Sweden, Poland, and Germany. By applying joint research and development, we will produce five key outputs—ranging from a feasibility study and technology roadmap to a tailor-made, IoTbased monitoring system. In doing so, we anticipate a tangible change: the widespread adoption of innovative green roofs that can help mitigate flooding, cool buildings, support pollinators, and potentially increase solar panel efficiency. Ultimately, our project aims to spark cross-border policy, business, and community interest in more resilient and eco-friendly urban landscapes.
To achieve these goals, BalticGrow takes a multi-step approach:
Research & Analysis: Using hydrological modeling, material testing (including biochar-enriched substrates), and integration techniques for PV panels, we develop evidence-based strategies tailored to the Baltic climate.
Stakeholder Engagement: We involve local governments, energy utilities, building owners, and residents in pilot actions, ensuring that each rooftop reflects the needs and conditions of its host community. Pilot Installations & Monitoring: Three cross-border pilot sites in different climatic zones will implement and test our solutions. We use an IoT monitoring system for real-time data on moisture, temperature, and energy generation, allowing continuous improvement.Technology Catalogue and Decision-Support Toolbox, enabling others to adopt these solutions in their own urban settings.
A cross-border approach is essential because the region’s coastal and climatic conditions transcend national borders, and each partner brings complementary skills—for instance, hydrological modeling expertise in one country, advanced energy systems knowledge in another, and robust stakeholder networks elsewhere. By pooling these resources, BalticGrow accelerates innovation, avoids duplicated efforts, and ensures that our outputs meet diverse regulatory and environmental contexts.
Our project is innovative in combining multiple functions—stormwater retention, thermal regulation, biodiversity enhancement, and solar energy—into a single rooftop system validated by real-time IoT monitoring. We also foster broad adoption through business models and policy recommendations that pave the way for green roofs to become a mainstream element of sustainable urban development. By uniting science, community engagement, and practical demonstrations, BalticGrow seeks to generate lasting environmental and economic benefits for cities throughout the South Baltic.