Seven Mediterranean countries unite to tackle urban water problems

How does URWAN tackle these problems? The initiative uses Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in city planning. These natural and cost-effective solutions help cities become more sustainable and better equipped to handle climate change. NbS offer multiple benefits, including boosting biodiversity, improving air quality, and cooling urban areas. By incorporating natural elements into cities, the project not only addresses environmental challenges but also enhances residents’ quality of life.

URWAN unites nine partners from seven Mediterranean countries, combining their skills and resources for a greater impact. The project employs community-driven designs to ensure NbS are effective, inclusive, and tailored to local needs. These solutions beautify cities and foster social inclusion, enriching urban landscapes while promoting sustainability.

A key component of the project is the URWAN Catalogue, which compiles knowledge on existing NbS. This guide helps users design optimal solutions for their specific areas. Additionally, URWAN will transform three public buildings into ‘water producers’, showcasing the potential of urban green walls through experimental projects.

An important partnership meeting was organised by SVI.MED, a non-profit based in Ragusa, Sicily, from 15-18 April. This was the first in-person meeting for the URWAN team. Around 30 representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain attended, turning a list of names and emails into a unified team.

The main goals of this meeting were to reaffirm shared objectives and refine the approach: promoting the use of unconventional water and adopting natural, multifunctional NbS to make cities more resilient to climate change.

Barbara Sarnari, the Vice-President of SVI.MED, shared her vision for the project: 'What makes the URWAN catalogue unique is that it harmonises knowledge in a new way to engage local stakeholders and support the co-design of solutions. It stands out due to its focus on multifunctionality and participatory methods, highlighting the use of non-conventional water and showcasing 20 best practices in an accessible format.'

'Nature-based solutions make a real difference, because they connect city renewal with smart resource management', she added. 'By integrating these solutions into urban development, we’ll foster cities that are sustainable, resilient, and beautiful, capable of facing the challenges of climate change.'

The project involves decision-makers and stakeholders from six cities to co-design multifunctional NbS for climate change adaptation. One of the primary goals is to promote resilience through ecosystem-based approaches.

SVI.MED will build on its experience with the green wall in Ferla, developed in the NAWAMED project, to integrate and enhance innovative solutions. This will inspire policymakers to value NbS as essential for urban sustainability, beauty, and social inclusion, aligning with the principles of the New European Bauhaus Initiative.

Moreover, the URWAN project aims to test an Integrated Decision Support System (IDSS) in Ferla, Ptuj (Slovenia), and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). This system will create a virtual twin of the urban area, involving stakeholders in joint decision-making to develop a master plan for NbS adoption and resilience.