Nature Conservation as a Core Part of Urban Planning
Nová Zbrojovka is about much more than constructing new buildings. It is being shaped through thoughtful decisions that will influence quality of life for decades to come. From the very beginning, we have designed this future neighbourhood to be resilient to climate change, to manage natural resources responsibly, and to provide a healthy environment for everyday life.
These are exactly the principles evaluated by the international BREEAM Communities assessment. One of its key criteria is the protection of the site's natural assets and the enhancement of biodiversity. Based on a comprehensive ecological study, environmental experts developed a set of targeted recommendations aimed at preventing negative environmental impacts wherever possible, minimising those that cannot be avoided, and ensuring appropriate compensation measures where necessary.
These recommendations form an integral part of the project's ecological strategy, demonstrating that nature conservation is embedded in the planning of the entire neighbourhood - fully aligned with the principles of BREEAM Communities.
Transforming a Derelict Brownfield into a Vibrant Urban Neighbourhood
One of the greatest environmental benefits of Nová Zbrojovka lies in the very principle of its development. We are bringing new life to more than 22 hectares of a neglected brownfield site in the wider city centre of Brno, transforming it into a modern, mixed-use urban neighbourhood. Instead of building on agricultural land, meadows, fields or forests, we are revitalising land that had already been developed but had become entirely abandoned and unusable.
After the historic Zbrojovka factory closed in 2006, the site was left as a vast, deserted industrial complex filled with deteriorating production halls and office buildings. Over time, the entire area fell into disrepair and became overgrown. What had once been a thriving industrial hub turned into a neglected and unsafe location, attracting squatters, homeless people and thieves, while local residents avoided it altogether. The site was also separated from the surrounding city by a two-metre-high brick wall, creating an inaccessible barrier for many years.
"It was like a ghost town. The buildings were in catastrophic condition - they were falling apart, contaminated, foul-smelling and hazardous to people's health. We received a demolition order covering the entire site and had no choice but to remove most of the structures. Even so, we decided to preserve and restore several buildings because of their historical value," says Jan Růžička, Project Manager in Nová Zbrojovka.
The regeneration of this brownfield site in the heart of Brno is one of the most sustainable ways to support urban growth. Rather than expanding the city into open countryside, we are giving new purpose to land that had remained unused for years. The result is a safe, attractive neighbourhood offering quality homes, workplaces, services and inviting public spaces.
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| This is what Nová Zbrojovka looked like in 2017. Most of the buildings were beyond repair and had to be demolished due to their poor structural condition | The abandoned industrial site was acquired by CPI Property Group, marking the beginning of its transformation into a modern urban neighbourhood |
Greenery as an Essential Part of Everyday Life
Rising summer temperatures are one of the greatest challenges facing today's cities. Asphalt, concrete and extensive paved surfaces absorb and retain heat, creating the urban heat island effect. That is why urban greenery today serves a far greater purpose than simply enhancing the appearance of a place. It cools the surrounding environment, retains rainwater, captures dust, reduces noise and contributes to a healthier, more comfortable urban environment.
In Nová Zbrojovka, green spaces will cover 30% of the entire development. Rather than consisting of isolated parks, they will form a connected network of vegetation woven throughout the neighbourhood. Tree-lined streets will be complemented by green corridors along pedestrian routes, richly planted courtyards, private front gardens for ground-floor apartments and landscape buffers that provide greater privacy. Along the banks of the Svitava River, lush vegetation will not only enhance the riverside but also help stabilise the riverbanks.
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| Green spaces will cover nearly one-third of Nová Zbrojovka. Instead of isolated parks, the neighbourhood will feature an interconnected network of trees, green corridors, landscaped courtyards and front gardens woven throughout the entire district | Lush greenery will become an integral part of the neighbourhood - from tree-lined streets and green corridors to landscaped courtyards |
Trees act as natural air conditioners. A mature tree with a canopy measuring around ten metres in diameter can provide a cooling effect equivalent to approximately 6 kW of cooling capacity. Tree-lined avenues will increase air humidity by 5–9%, while the carefully planned street layout will allow cooler air from the river to circulate naturally into the heart of the neighbourhood, making outdoor spaces more comfortable even during the hottest summer days.
The local microclimate will also benefit from more than 77,000 square metres of green roofs. During the summer, they can reduce surrounding air temperatures by up to four degrees Celsius, while in winter they improve the thermal performance of buildings by providing additional insulation.
These measures have been part of the project from the very first phase of construction. New trees and planting are introduced as soon as streets and courtyards are completed, while mature trees already growing within the Nová Zbrojovka site are carefully transplanted wherever possible. Although this approach is more demanding and costly, it ensures immediate shade, cooling and environmental benefits from day one. It reflects our belief that sustainability is far more than a slogan - it is a commitment put into practice.
To bring life back to the area even before the neighbourhood is fully completed, we also created the one-hectare temporary multifunctional Amenities Park. Already today, it has become a popular destination for sports, recreation and community gatherings.
A New Approach to Water Management
In Nová Zbrojovka, we believe that every drop of water matters. That is why we manage water with the same care and responsibility as energy and building materials. Our comprehensive blue-green infrastructure is designed to significantly reduce dependence on drinking water, protect surrounding waterways and retain rainwater directly within the site.
We give rainwater a second life. Captured rainfall will be reused, for example, to irrigate green spaces. Thanks to our integrated blue-green infrastructure, the amount of water infiltrating the ground will increase by 70%, while surface runoff will be reduced by 25% compared to a conventional urban environment.
Green roofs alone will retain up to 95% of rainfall. We are also implementing a network of permeable surfaces, grassed areas and retention basins. During typical rainfall events of up to five millimetres, virtually no stormwater will be discharged from Nová Zbrojovka into the sewer system. Instead, the water will remain where it is needed most - absorbed into the soil or naturally evaporating to help cool the neighbourhood.
The quality of the water returning to nature is equally important. Runoff from roads and parking areas passes through soil filtration systems and oil separators before reaching the Svitava River, ensuring that only treated water is discharged. In this way, we protect not only the river itself but also its surrounding ecosystem. Thanks to this sustainable water management system, the neighbourhood will remain green even during periods of drought - without wasting valuable drinking water.
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More than 77,000 m² of green roofs will retain up to 95% of rainfall and reduce surrounding air temperatures by up to 4°C during the summer | We don't wait until construction is complete to introduce greenery. It is planted as soon as streets and courtyards are finished |
A Riverside Designed for People and Nature
The new riverside will reconnect people with the water and become one of the most attractive public spaces in the entire neighbourhood. It will provide an inviting setting for walking, running, cycling and everyday relaxation. The existing concrete riverbanks will be transformed into a natural riverside landscape featuring a flood berm covering approximately 1.5 hectares, helping to protect the area from flooding.
By removing outdated impermeable barriers and reshaping the riverbanks, the river's flow capacity will be measurably improved, reducing peak water levels during a 100-year flood event and providing greater flood protection for neighbouring districts. At the same time, the project will create valuable new habitats for wildlife. Shallow ponds within the riverside zone will provide ideal conditions for aquatic insects and amphibians, while supporting birds, pollinators and many other species.
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| Once the boundary of a former industrial complex, the Svitava River is set to become the natural heart of the new neighbourhood | It will offer plenty of space for walking, running, cycling and everyday relaxation |
Designing with Wildlife in Mind
A high-quality urban environment should serve more than just people. Nature also deserves its place in the city. That is why our buildings are designed to minimise the risk of bird collisions with glass façades. We incorporate bird-friendly measures such as window films, ceramic fritted glass, external shading systems and pergolas to make glazed surfaces safer for wildlife. Public spaces will also include insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers for house martins and nesting sites for kestrels and black redstarts.
These measures do more than enhance biodiversity - they help maintain a healthy ecological balance and naturally reduce pest populations. Approximately 80% of all planting will consist of native species typical of the oak-hornbeam forests naturally found along the Svitava River. This will create a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem that can thrive with minimal long-term intervention.
Building More Sustainably
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond green spaces to the construction process itself. By preserving several historic buildings from the original industrial complex, we avoid the need to manufacture and transport large quantities of new construction materials while retaining the site's unique industrial character.
Materials from demolished buildings are not sent to landfill. Instead, demolition waste is recycled directly on-site and reused throughout the construction process. Thanks to these recycle and reuseprinciples, we expect to reduce the consumption of construction materials by approximately 38% and cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25% compared with a scenario based on complete demolition and rebuilding using only new materials.
A Neighbourhood Designed for the Future
In Nová Zbrojovka, sustainability is not a collection of individual technologies—it is a way of designing the city. Every decision, from preserving historic buildings and managing water responsibly to planting trees and creating habitats for wildlife, contributes to the same vision: building a neighbourhood that will remain a healthy, vibrant and enjoyable place to live not only today, but for generations to come.
