Living Lab for Nature based Solutions

Water sensitive design and planning approach not only guarantees a reliable and clean water supply but also helps create cities and landscapes that can withstand the impacts of climate change – both draughts and floods. The webinar will discuss inspiring case studies from different corners of the globe, highlighting how nature-based solutions can seize current opportunities to enhance flood management and improve water management in catchment areas in global south cities.

In this webinar case studies will discuss how in-situ sources like rivers, lakes, and ponds, along with their surrounding areas, are feeling the pressure from rapid urbanisation. Further the case studies will highlight the missed opportunities within built up area like – parks and open spaces that could be (re)designed / planned as sponges to not only in situ augment water resources by recharging aquifers but also build resilient to flooding.

This second webinar continues the conversation on innovation in Nature-Based Solutions, building on the first session by examining how NBS are being developed and applied in Global South through living lab examples.

For more information , check out IWA Working Group - Alliance for Water Sensitive Design & Planning (BrUKInd WSDP)

Practitioners, academics and researchers, utilities, students, engineers and IWA members (particularly - Specialist Groups on Urban Drainage, Sanitation and Water Management in low and middle income countries , and Rainwater Harvesting and Management).

1. Understand the Impact of Urbanisation and Climate Change:
2. Analyse effectiveness of Living Laboratories for Nature-Based Solutions (NbS):

• Learn about innovative nature-based solutions that can be integrated with traditional infrastructure.
• Understand the benefits of these solutions in ensuring reliable and clean water supplies and creating climate-resilient cities.

3. Apply Water-Sensitive Design and Planning (WSUDP):
4. Learn how to leverage current opportunities to implement these approaches effectively.

• Catchment and waterbodies are increasingly affected by rapid urbanisation and climate change.
• Parks and open spaces within cities are not just recreation sites but missed opportunities of rainwater harvesting.
• Integrating innovative nature-based solutions with traditional infrastructure can help ensure reliable and clean water supplies and build climate-resilient cities.
• Living laboratory for NbS solutions showcases effectiveness WSUDP as enabler sustainable cities and resilient infrastructure.