URWAN

The URWAN project addresses the critical link between urban regeneration and resources, leveraging the role of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in integrating water management and climate change adaptation.

The project involves 12 partners from 8 Mediterranean countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain), who, together with a broad network of associated organisations, jointly carry out activities aimed at influencing decision-making processes and multiplying the impact of public funding.

The partnership relies on innovative and participatory approaches and on existing NbS, while demonstrating the importance of making these solutions multifunctional. The URWAN Catalogue brings together knowledge on NbS, provides a comprehensive overview of existing solutions and supports those who will use them in co-designing the most suitable ones.

URWAN has also implemented two demonstration infrastructures for water treatment and reuse, in Cuba (Portugal) and Rome (Italy), and designed a third one in Larnaca (Cyprus).

A second phase: from testing to transfer

ollowing the completion of the testing phase, URWAN has entered its transfer phase, which will continue until March 2028. The methodologies, tools and solutions tested so far are being extended to seven new territories: Alzira (Spain), Avellino (Italy), Durrës (Albania), Palmela (Portugal), Patras (Greece), Sesimbra (Portugal) and Setúbal (Portugal).

The transfer is carried out through the Nature-based Solutions Enabler Pack, designed to integrate NbS into the regular planning processes of Mediterranean cities.

Activities:

SVI.MED. has capitalised on and shared with the partnership its experience with the green wall in Ferla, developed within the framework of the NAWAMED project, in order to integrate and enhance the proposed solutions and inspire policymakers to recognise NbS as resources for generating urban sustainability, beauty and social inclusion — in other words, “needs behind functionality”, as stated by the New European Bauhaus Initiative.

In collaboration with the Kassandra project, SVI.MED. also tested an Integrated Decision Support System (IDSS) in Ferla (SR), Ptuj (Slovenia) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The system made it possible to create a virtual twin of the urban area, supporting the development of a more resilient territory.

During the transfer phase, SVI.MED. makes the knowledge acquired during the Testing Phase available and provides technical support to partners in the receiving territories. It is responsible for the preparatory activities for the transfer and co-leads the application of the Start Park co-design methodology in the new territories, the development of NbS roadmaps and capacity-building activities for partners.

SVI.MED. also coordinates the transfer of the URWAN approach to the territory of the Province of Avellino, in cooperation with the Province itself, an associated partner of the project.

PARTNER

1. Regional Association of Municipalities of Lazio – ANCI Lazio – Italy (IT) – LEAD PARTNER
2. IRIDRA s.r.l. – Italy (IT)
3. Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Sustainable Development – SVI.MED. – Italy (IT)
4. Make it Better, MiB – Association for Innovation and Social Economy – Portugal (PT)
5. MedCities – Spain (ES)
6. Scientific Research Centre Bistra Ptuj – SRC Bistra Ptuj – Slovenia (SI)
7. Energy and Water Agency – EWA – Malta (MT)
8. City of Sarajevo – Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)
9. Regional Centre for Development and Cooperation – RCDC – Albania (AL)
10. MUSOL Foundation – Spain (ES)
11. University of Patras, Department of Civil Engineering – Greece (EL)
12. Energy and Environment Agency of Arrábida – ENA – Portugal (PT)

ASSOCIATED PARTNER 

URWAN – Nature Based Solutions Catalogue

Social channel:

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Contact person:

Barbara Sarnari, project manager