Zálesie

Basic info

Country:

https://www.obeczalesie.sk

Area:

Population:

Density:

Summary:

References:

https://www.nasezalesicko.sk
https://domalenka.sk/atrakcie/korzo-zalesie-molo-na-malom-dunaji
https://2021.prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu/node/269207
https://www.kamnavylety.sk/korzo-zalesie/
https://bigsee.eu/korzo-zalesie-embankment-revitalization-of-the-little-danube-river-for-free-time-activities-promenade-zalesie/
https://cestujzamenej.sk/2020/05/30/korzo-zalesie-na-malom-dunaji/
https://www.shemakesmetravel.com/sk/korzo-zalesie-krasna-drevena-promenada-nedaleko-bratislavy/

Keywords

Gallery

Issues Addressed

The municipality has recently gained a number of new inhabitants, and with that the need to create and enhance cultural, recreational, as well as environmental activities and opportunities for the community. Active residents of Zálesie founded a civic association (CA), Naše Zálesíčko (Our Zálesíčko), in 2013 with the aim of making the village more attractive for inhabitants and visitors. Its goal is to develop community life, build cultural and environmental awareness, and enhance the quality of public space through various projects. Despite the fact that the village does not have valuable cultural or historical monuments, the CA discovered the potential of an abandoned public space on the Little Danube river bank that had long been hidden under 300 tonnes of waste. The recreational potential of the Natura 2000 area had not been developed, and the landscape was not accessible enough to promote sustainable and safe mobility for residents and visitors.

Approaches and Solutions

The Naše Zálesíčko (Our Zálesíčko) initiative redefines the relationship between people, nature, and the protected area (Natura 2000) by promoting environmental responsibility and land regeneration that blends natural aesthetics with human care. Since 2013, it has enhanced Zálesie’s public spaces, environment, and community life through projects combining culture, education, tourism, and nature protection. A key achievement is the wooden promenade along the river, designed to harmonise with nature while serving as a space for observation, relaxation, and events such as outdoor theatre, sculpture exhibitions, and concerts. The initiative also supports sustainable mobility through projects like a footbridge over the Biela voda creek and a green roof at the bus stop, improving connectivity and eco-tourism. Further efforts include planting 130 fruit trees along a future cycle trail, restoring habitats by planting trees and building a learning gazebo in the floodplain forest, and improving local biodiversity. Thanks to collaborations with experts and craftsmen, Naše Zálesíčko has helped shape a new, sustainable identity for the municipality.

Actors and Stakeholders

The development of many projects in the municipality is initiated by the Naše Zálesíčko CA (Our Zálesíčko), which has a very conceptual approach towards the planning and realisation of its ideas thanks to the expertise of its members. The project that transformed a landfill into a public space was designed and implemented in cooperation with AŽ PROJEKT architecture studio, representatives of state professional organisations (the Slovak Water Management Company and the State Nature Conservancy), and representatives of the municipality (Marian Perger, former mayor of Zálesie), as well as the Bratislava self-governing region. The Kúšik family is a local donor that contributes funding. The rest of the projects were implemented by volunteers from Naše Zálesíčko CA (Our Zálesíčko), together with local businesses.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite challenges such as the removal of a 300-tonne illegal waste dump on the banks of the Little Danube River and resource constraints, the municipality also has substantial opportunities for growth through cultural development, partnerships, increased awareness, and civic engagement. The civic association takes care of new plantings, which requires a great deal of voluntary effort. In addition to maintenance work, a major challenge is to find resources for project implementation. Our Zálesíčko has been very successful in attracting funding and has brought almost €1 million to the village of Zálesie and the surrounding area. This is an incredible amount of money outside the local authority’s budget that has been spent on improving the village environment. However, the new municipal leadership does not support the activities of Our Zálesíčko in the same way as the former mayor, which can be seen as a real shame and presents a challenge for the future development of the area.

Outcomes and Lessons Learnt

Naše Zálesíčko (Our Zálesíčko) represents a successful example of community-led environmental revitalisation, combining leisure with ecological awareness while enhancing the quality of life in Zálesie. The most significant result is the removal of the riverbank dump on the Little Danube River and its revitalisation. The architecturally valuable structure of Korzo Zálesie (Promenade Zálesie) is now used for educational, cultural, and recreational activities such as river boating, nature watching, exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and theatre. It also provides a safe pedestrian connection to previously inaccessible parts of the village and has become a tourist attraction. It has significantly increased the recreational opportunities in the protected area of the Little Danube River. A notable finding is that civic engagement, supported by professional leadership, can play a crucial role in the development and management of the municipality. Therefore, it relies heavily on good cooperation between active residents and the municipal leadership.

Selected major projects and awards

• Organisation of Festival “Záleská divadelná púť” (Zálesie Theatre Pilgrimage), which is an event open to all cultural activities and art genres. The theatre serves as a bridge between all art disciplines – literature, fine arts, dramatic art and music (2011-2022)  
• Wooden pedestrian bridge over “Biela voda” creek (White water creek) and connecting two villages (2015)
• A lookout tower in the form of a “LIGHTHOUSE” (2015)
• A unique Bus stop named “in harmony with Nature” by Korzo promenade has got a green roof (2018-2019)
• Implementation of “Korzo” Zálesie, the project of a wooden promenade (2018-2020)
• Architecture price CE ZA AR 2020 in exterior category for the project of wooden promenade – authors: Peter Derevenec, Vojtech Krumpolec / AŽ PROJEKT (2020)
• BIG SEE Architecture price for the project of wooden promenade (2021)
• Top Project Award (for the fruit tree alley project next to the planned cycling route) by Ekopolis Foundation. Planted 130 fruit trees of original varieties and built gazebo for outdoor learning (2021)
• “Metamorphosis” project that is a movable facility of cultural-environmental centre by the Little Danube River (2022)
• The floating concrete pontoon on the Little Danube River (connecting remote parts of the village for safe transit) enhances accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists (2022)
• Revitalisation of the Little Danube meander by planting 50 trees of original floodplain forest and built a unique gazebo for outdoor learning “school in nature” (2022)
• Nomination for award  “Cena Slovenskej republiky za krajinu“ (Slovak Republic Landscape Award 2022) 
• Small footbridge and pier in the meander of the Little Danube River for promoting nature observation and better accessibility (2023)