Rybnik, Poland

Located in the Silesian region of southern Poland, Rybnik is a mid-sized city surrounded by mining towns and industrial districts. The area is known for its coal heritage, which has profoundly influenced both its economy and its air quality. With a mix of residential neighbourhoods, green areas, and industrial sites, Rybnik illustrates the challenges of transitioning from traditional industry to healthier, more sustainable urban environments.

Coal and steel heritage, social vulnerability, air-quality extremes

Rybnik is one of the European cities most affected by severe winter air pollution due to coal combustion and industrial emissions.
Key relevance for MISTRAL:

• Strong seasonal variability in air pollution
• A socio-economically diverse population

Rich ground-truth data from local health and environmental institutions.