Unique environmental and community value – we visited the Westend rooftop garden with experts

Thanks to Gránit Pólus at our Race to Zero event on September 30, we gained insight into the Westend roof garden, which has been in operation for more than 25 years, with the help of renowned experts. This urban green space is an outstanding example of how community needs and sustainability considerations can be combined in an urban environment, and how roof gardens can contribute to climate adaptation.

As Miklós Gyertyánfy, CEO of Gránit Pólus Group, said in his welcome speech, the Westend roof garden was considered unique even at the time of its construction, and today it remains one of the “gems” of the company’s portfolio and the capital city. Irén Márta, director of BCSDH, confirmed this, recalling that even in the 1990s it was considered extraordinary: a building that was consciously designed to be organically connected to the surrounding neighborhoods, providing them with ecological services.

Dóra Diána Szemerédi, Head of ESG and Corporate Relations at Gránit Pólus Group, explained that with its 15,000 square meters of green space created using intensive technology, the roof garden not only insulates the building but also contributes to the sustainability of the urban environment with its microclimate-shaping capabilities and utilization of rainwater.

During the tour, Péter Dezsényi, Director General of BKM’s Main Garden Division, spoke about the role and function of green gardens and roof gardens in the urban environment, emphasizing that the roof garden on top of Westend is internationally recognized. Gábor Szőllősi, CEO and Senior Advisor of Agrofutura, gave a detailed presentation on the future development directions of the roof garden, which aim to strengthen biodiversity, sustainable water management, and further increase climate adaptation functions.

We would like to thank the Gránit Pólus Team and the invited experts for this unique opportunity and their assistance in providing us with a deeper understanding of both the Westend roof garden and general information.

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