Local residents can now start to enjoy once neglected area around Ślepiotka catchment.
Central 
Europe Reuris project concentrates on revitalization of urban river spaces. As its main goal project sets to create a recreational area which will result in increase of its environmental value and quality of life of its inhabitants.For its pilot investment has Reuris selected the most vulnerable area of Ochojec, located in the upper part of the urbanized part of the Ślepiotka catchment in Katowice. The river channel was straightened decades ago and reinforced by concrete blocks. The corridor is about 6 km long, with 2, 5 km of the corridor being located in highly urbanized area of the middle part of Ślepiotka catchment.
Basic idea of the study was to delineate continuous corridor in, so sustainable land use forms can be restored, and value of water should be reestablished both from ecological and economical point of view. The pilot investment illustrates possibilities for desired transformation of the whole river corridor. For Reuris it was important to involve the local community to the level of co-creation giving them an opportunity to submit their own ideas and in fact become co-authors of the vision. Through meetings and workshops successful partnership of key actors consisting of public bodies, private institutions and scientific organisations was created and consensus in methods and direction in which spatial planning of Ślepiotka will be heading was developed.
The general vision of valley revitalisation created this way, with support of local community of Ochojec/Piotrowice and Ligota/Panewniki, was then put to the action.
River channel was modified with use of soil bioengineering methods (natural stone, native plant species) to increase habitat diversity. New quasi-natural pond or wetland has been created which will not only increase retention capacity but also form favored environment for water/amphibious habitat. Further improvements have positive impact on better flow of existing storm water and hydraulic continuity between pond and river channel. Construction of educational path for public access was done with a view to make the area more appealing to local inhabitants and mainly children as it will give them an opportunity to explore this diverse and rich natural area on their doorstep. In addition planting of more than dozen thousands specimen of plants will restore riparian and dry forests, wetlands and flowery meadow habitat.
There is lot of hard work in front of Reuris team but accomplishment of this 1st pilot step is a crucial corner stone for successful implementation of the Ślepiotka valley revitalization in years to follow.
For more information, comments or suggestions please contact team of Reuris project