The Faculty of Agriculture and Technology of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice once again took an active part in this year’s European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW), held annually from 20 to 26 September, with the possibility of including events within the extended period from 18 September to 8 October. The goal of this Europe-wide initiative is to showcase a broad spectrum of activities promoting sustainability and to emphasize that the future of the environment and the landscape is a shared concern for all.
As part of the program, three thematic events took place at the Faculty:
Plant SWAP and Guided Tour of the Botanical Atrium (24 September 2025)
The Student Affairs Office of the Faculty became the venue for a Plant SWAP, offering visitors the opportunity to exchange plants, cuttings, and seeds. The event highlighted the principles of sustainability, community sharing, and the “slowplants” philosophy – mindful and responsible plant cultivation.
The program also included guided tours of the botanical atrium in Pavilion C, led by Ing. Adéla Kalkušová, Ing. Eliška Kůrková, Ing. Nina Veselovská, and Ing. Iva Šímová, Ph.D., who introduced participants to the local plant species and their growing principles.
The atmosphere was friendly and inspiring – visitors left not only with new plants but also with valuable tips on how to care for them.
Lecture “Brownfields” (25 September 2025)
As part of the ESDW program, Ing. et Ing. Vendula Moravcová, Ph.D., gave a lecture on brownfields – old factories, abandoned industrial sites, and neglected areas often seen as “scars” on the landscape.
The lecture emphasized that these places are not doomed to decay but can represent unique opportunities for redevelopment. Examples showed how brownfields can be transformed into cultural centers, parks, residential complexes, or community spaces, breathing new life into once-forgotten areas.
The discussion with participants revealed that the topic resonates on the regional level as well, as brownfields are present in many Czech towns and villages — often posing both a challenge and an opportunity for local revitalization and community renewal.
Seminar “Sustainability of Land Use in the European Context” (2 October 2025)
The seminar by Ing. Jana Moravcová, Ph.D., offered a captivating overview of the evolution of the European landscape — from early agricultural settlements to the present day. It explored how human activity has shaped our environment and how cultural and natural processes are reflected in the landscape.
Participants learned about examples of traditional landscape structures in the Mediterranean, Poland, Slovakia, and Normandy, as well as the effects of urbanization and opportunities for reclamation and restoration.
Through these activities, the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology of the University of South Bohemia contributed to the rich program of the European Sustainable Development Week and reaffirmed its commitment to environmental education and the promotion of sustainability.
📸 Full photo gallery from ESDW at the Faculty is available on zonerama.com.