While the global temperature rose by approximately 0.8 degrees Celsius between 1980 and 2021, Slovenia recorded an average temperature increase of 2.4 degrees Celsius – and as much as 3.3 degrees Celsius during the summer months. According to projections, atmospheric warming will continue.

The consequences of climate change are already visible and will continue to manifest in extreme weather and climate events – rising sea levels, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, heat stress, temperature extremes and more – all of which will affect the quality of our lives.

For this reason, Slovenia has set a goal in its Long-term Climate Strategy to become climate neutral by 2050 – achieving net-zero emissions. The strategy prioritises nature-based solutions that contribute to both climate adaptation and mitigation. However, the Environment Report of the Republic of Slovenia 2022 shows that Slovenia is significantly lagging behind in the area of adaptation, even though, given warming projections and other parameters, adaptation should be a priority.

Cities play a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis, as recognised by the European Commission, which launched the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030. Globally, cities consume over 65% of energy and account for more than 70% of global emissions. In the European Union, where cities occupy 4% of the land and are home to 75% of the population, they can make a significant contribution to the European Green Deal – reducing emissions by 55% by 2030 – while also offering better living conditions: cleaner air, less traffic, less noise and more.

A strategic approach to adaptation at the city level is therefore essential, and urban green infrastructure can be a key tool for adapting to and mitigating climate change – particularly in relation to urban heat islands and heatwaves. The importance of green infrastructure is also recognised by the European Parliament.

Some cities, such as Maribor, have specific urban advantages – courtyards. These represent potential inner green lungs of the city, offering residents a connection with nature and their neighbours, and providing a natural balance within the densely built medieval city centre. The old town of Maribor alone contains 156 public and private courtyards covering a total area of over 5 hectares. Due to unresolved legal status and a lack of awareness of the impact of urban green spaces on the wider environment, courtyards too often become car parks, are poorly maintained or neglected, trees give way to garages, and surfaces are frequently concreted over and left to deteriorate.

Courtyards have enormous potential for mitigating microclimatic impacts – trees cool and humidify during droughts, soil and greenery reduce traffic noise, rainwater can infiltrate into the groundwater, and much more. Residents also recognise courtyards as an important part of their homes and lives, and express a desire for better-maintained and greener shared spaces.

Achieving real change requires collaboration across all stakeholders:

All of this makes it clear that the future of our cities lies not only in concrete, but in spaces with nature – even where we least expect it. Courtyards, those often overlooked urban corners, can become a response to the pressing challenge of climate change and an important part of the solution. The project Courtyards – Green Community Spaces, co-funded by Eko sklad, addresses this challenge in a holistic way: through awareness-raising, community engagement, knowledge transfer and concrete on-site interventions.

Courtyards are thus becoming not only the green lungs of cities, but spaces of community, dialogue and resilience – urban green oases, precisely what the cities of the future will need.