This webinar, organized by Water Europe’s Expert Group on Green-Grey Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions, is a deep dive into the systemic transformation of aging urban water infrastructure.
Instead of simply replacing old pipes with new ones (the current “piecemeal” practice), the session focuses on how cities can use the upcoming massive wave of infrastructure renewal to implement Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that are resilient to extreme weather and provide multiple ecosystem co-benefits.
Much of Europe’s water and drainage infrastructure is over 50 years old and due for replacement. The current habit of “replacing like with like” after a failure is a missed opportunity. The webinar argues that we must move toward decentralized, green-grey, and adaptable systems to meet the goals of the EU Water Resilience Strategy.
The speakers will explore how NbS can replace or complement traditional “grey” infrastructure. They will address the technical and management shift required to move from small, isolated green spots to large-scale infrastructural systems. Practical Case Studies:
– Governance & Practice (Portugal): Ruben Fernandez (former CEO of Águas e Energia do Porto) will discuss the administrative and leadership challenges of moving from traditional to green-grey transitions.
– Living Labs (Belgium): Alexandra Winderickx will showcase how the City of Mechelen acts as a “Water Oriented Living Lab,” demonstrating climate adaptation in a real-world urban setting.
Key Discussion Points:
– How to transition to decentralized drainage and supply.
– Overcoming the “failure-driven” repair cycle.
– Ensuring urban environments don’t miss out on the co-benefits of green infrastructure (cooling, biodiversity, air quality).
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