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Cooling hideaways in Klagenfurt
Climate adaptation as a spiritual and social task
In collaboration with the environmental department of the Catholic Church of Carinthia, PLANUM has taken on a pioneering role in the field of climate adaptation with the “Refugium” project. In view of the increasingly hot summers, it will ensure that church rooms and the inner courtyards of church facilities in Klagenfurt are consciously designed as places of relaxation, tranquillity and cooling and are opened to the public.
The parish church of St. Egid in the center of Klagenfurt’s old town was won as a partner for the first implementation project.
The pilot project is being implemented on a small garden plot in the outdoor area of the St. Egid parish center.
Although only a total of 100 m² is available, all the main elements in the garden will be realized, a drinking fountain (as a non-consumptive thirst quencher), a climate tree (to provide shade), seating, a spring stone (to improve the microclimate) and attractive planting with a focus on biodiversity.
The initiative is an invitation to municipalities, cities and church institutions to become active together – for a liveable, people-friendly and climate-resilient future.
The project was presented in Klagenfurt on June 3 as a prelude to the Carinthian Heat Protection Day.
Press conference 3.06.2025, Klagenfurt. (from left to right) Provincial Councillor Sara Schaar, project initiator Harald Jost (Catholic Church of Carinthia) and project initiator Marie-Therese Fallast (PLANUM)
Press conference 3.06.2025, Klagenfurt. (from left to right) Project initiator Harald Jost (Catholic Church of Carinthia), Provincial Councillor Dr. Beate Prettner and project initiator Marie-Therese Fallast (PLANUM)
Further information here: Refugium
Further press releases:
1stHeat Protection Day: Carinthia prepares for the heat: Church provides cooling refuge
Spiritual and social task: Church creates cooling refuges – Klagenfurt
Queries:
Marie-Therese Fallast, mt.fallast@planum.eu
