WAVE (Water Areas Vision for Europe) Final Report: Reflection in Action

Mariana Binder — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:13:31 +0000

WAVE (Water Areas Vision for Europe) Final Report: Reflection in Action

WAVE (Water Areas Vision for Europe) was an educational initiative aimed at addressing the sustainable development of water areas and floodplains within urban and peri-urban environments across Europe. This project, which ran from 2021 to 2023, was funded by the ERASMUS+ programme (grant no. 2020-1-RO01-KA203-080122) and brought together a diverse group of geographers, architects, urban planners, and landscape architects. By synthesizing interdisciplinary knowledge and actively involving local communities through a Living Lab approach, WAVE sought to bridge the gap between policy and practice in the sustainable management of water landscapes.

The project was a collaborative effort involving several universities and their local communities, each setting up a Living Lab around a place-specific challenge related to water landscapes. These Living Labs served as interactive platforms where public and local stakeholders could engage in the knowledge creation and visioning process. WAVE included a transnational online course with synchronous weekly sessions, on-site intensive study programs, and ongoing Living Lab activities, allowing for a constant evolution and adaptation of the project’s goals and methods.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected nearly half of the project’s duration, WAVE successfully integrated digital and local approaches. The online seminars were implemented twice, in 2021 and 2022, combining digital learning with fieldwork and local community engagement. The project’s participants included international students, professors, local government officials, ecologists, historians, and various community members, all contributing to a holistic understanding and innovative solutions for the sustainable development of water areas and floodplains.

WAVE final output ‘REFLECTION IN ACTION – The WAVE Learning Model’ offers a number of reflections on the place of water in city-making and the Living Lab Approach.

PLACE OF WATER IN CITY-MAKING

MULTIFUNCTIONAL ROLE: Water landscapes serve numerous functions beyond aesthetics, including transport, cooling (housing, industry, energy), drinking water supply, irrigation, biodiversity, and food production.

LACK OF PUBLIC AWARENESS: The public often perceives water landscapes primarily as recreational spaces, overlooking their broader ecological and functional roles.

URBAN PRESSURE: In metropolitan areas, urban development and intensive land use diminish the visibility and perceived value of water-shaped landscapes.

REACTIVE ATTENTION: Water issues typically only gain attention from authorities and residents when immediate problems such as flooding, pollution, or access issues arise.

SYSTEMS UNDERSTANDING: It’s crucial for planners, politicians, and community members to grasp the comprehensive functioning of water systems, including watersheds and the interrelations between land use, run-off water, surface water, and groundwater.

LIVING LAB APPROACH

BRIDGING THEORY AND PRACTICE: Living labs help close the gap between theoretical research and practical application, emphasizing the valorization of research results.

COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE INTEGRATION: Successful living labs incorporate the local knowledge of community members, fostering collaboration and capacity building.

EXTENDED LIFESPAN: The living lab process spans beyond typical course durations, requiring phased organization and integration with educational activities.

DIVERSE ACTIVITIES: Labs should include a variety of activities such as planning, design, participatory walks, hands-on work, and community events to engage stakeholders.

EDUCATIONAL COLLABORATION: Connecting living labs with local schools enhances awareness and future engagement with water-related issues.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Linking living labs to broader contexts and institutional frameworks supports a holistic approach to landscape challenges.

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT: Sustaining living labs necessitates a long-term commitment from universities or other organizations, along with a curator and organized collaboration with local authorities and NGOs.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: Using multiple communication methods, both digital and analogue, and leveraging existing channels can effectively engage the community.

DIRECT INVITATIONS: Actively inviting people to events based on power mapping ensures inclusivity and broader participation.

PLACE-BASED ENGAGEMENT: Providing community spaces near water bodies helps residents connect with and appreciate water landscapes and their challenges.

ACADEMIC COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT: Participation in living labs enhances academics’ understanding of systems approaches, collaborative organization, inclusive event facilitation, and the shift from research-driven projects to community support roles.

Water – Institute for Urban Excellence

WAVE (Water Areas Vision for Europe) Final Report: Reflection in Action