Capitalization on urban water management solutions to increase resilience for climate change and to reduce the effects of Central Europe borders on solution uptake

European Commission (European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Territorial Cooperation goal of the EU Cohesion Policy for 2021-2027)

Project title: Capitalization on urban water management solutions to increase resilience for climate change and to reduce the effects of Central Europe borders on solution uptake

Agreement number: CE0401353

Project implementation period: 01.09.2026 – 31.08.2028 r.

Project value: 5 003 114,92 PLN (1 157 378,30 EUR)

National funds: 1 000 623,03 PLN (231 475,67 EUR)

Foreign funds: 4 002 491,89 PLN (925 902,63 EUR)

Principal Investigator: prof. dr hab. inż. Bogusław Szmygin

Abstract: The project “Capitalization on urban water management solutions to increase resilience for climate change and to reduce the effects of Central Europe borders on solution uptake” (Capitan Maurice) focuses on increasing the resilience of cities and regions in Central Europe to the impacts of climate change, particularly drought, depletion of water resources, flash floods and excessive torrential rainfall. Its main objective is to capitalize on, further develop, adapt and transfer existing solutions related to sustainable urban water management and to facilitate their application under different spatial and environmental conditions across Central Europe.

The project has a significant dimension in the field of architecture and urban planning, as it addresses urban water management and climate change adaptation through the planning, design and functioning of contemporary urban spaces. Particular importance is given to increasing the resilience of urban structures through appropriate spatial planning, the use of blue-green infrastructure, nature-based solutions and the integration of water management systems into existing and planned urban structures. The project therefore combines environmental and water-management measures with the shaping of urban space and the protection of its architectural, urban and cultural values.

An important area of the project is the adaptation of historic urban areas to climate change, including the protection and adaptation of historic courtyards to changing climatic conditions. Historic urban spaces are considered as integral elements of the urban structure that require solutions taking into account their architectural and urban value, the needs of their users and the need to increase their resilience to climate change. The project includes the development of a methodology for the inventory and assessment of historic courtyards, their classification and mapping, as well as the analysis of possibilities for applying solutions that enhance their climate resilience. These activities will result in guidelines for the development and adaptation of climate-resilient historic courtyards in Central European cities.

The project also includes the development and testing of solutions supporting urban and spatial planning under changing climate conditions. The tools, guidelines and methodologies developed within the project are intended to support cities and regions in making decisions concerning spatial development, stormwater management and the strengthening of existing urban structures. Particular attention is given to solutions related to stormwater retention and infiltration, blue-green infrastructure, sustainable water management and nature-based solutions. These activities aim to contribute to the creation of more resilient, sustainable and climate-adapted urban spaces.

The project will implement pilot actions in different Central European cities to practically test the developed methods and solutions. These include, among others, testing the Sponge City methodology, guidelines for blue-green infrastructure, solutions for historic courtyards, infiltration capacity mapping, early warning systems and remote-sensing tools supporting urban planning. The results of the pilot actions will provide a basis for further dissemination, transfer and uptake of the developed solutions in other cities and regions.

An important component of the project is the development of transnational cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experience between organisations working in the fields of spatial planning, urban development, heritage protection, water management, research and urban governance. The project envisages the creation of a cooperation network and the development of a common set of tools and materials facilitating the transfer of knowledge and solutions between Central European cities.

The project therefore integrates the fields of architecture and urban planning, spatial planning, protection of architectural and urban heritage, and climate change adaptation. Its results are intended to support the development of climate-resilient urban structures, sustainable stormwater management, the protection of valuable historic spaces and sustainable urban development. The project approach integrates environmental, spatial, architectural and urban planning solutions in order to strengthen the resilience of both contemporary and historic urban spaces to changing climatic conditions.