NATCULT WATERFUTURES · Integrating Cultural And Natural Values in reimagining Urban WaterscapE Futures

The research aims to provide innovative tools for mapping cultural and natural values that citizens assign to urban waterways and use those to inform co-creation of scenarios for use and regeneration of historic waterscapes with Nature Based solutions (NBS). Co-creating scenarios on futures of urban waterways with planners, engineers and citizens the research will enable reflection on diverse cultural, natural and historic values and enable implementation of (NBS) applications in sustainable regeneration. There is currently very little research to identify social benefits, acceptance and awareness of hidden waterways. Moreover the application of NBS in historic water infrastructure relies on citizen values towards nature, affecting the design decisions in regeneration projects that aim to support sustainable use of water resources across time. The study will enable better uptake, acceptance and adaptation of NBS applications in waterway regeneration by focusing on social acceptance aspects, cultural & natura values assigned to waterways, and ultimately inform collaborative and innovative planning and design interventions that amplify co-benefits for nature and communities. The work will enable operationalization of the recent IPBES Nature Futures Framework: I will test scenarios that support different conceptualisation of human-environment interactions and co-benefits from waterways in urban cores in the Mediterranean. The work will shape a participatory methodology for co-creation of future 'imaginaries' using scenarios for NBS implementation, including consideration of water saving and circularity practices and cultural value for enhancing socio-climatic vulnerabilities and influence guidance development across EU contexts. The research design will inform active citizen engagement with waterways management and innovative regeneration approaches as ‘plausible futures’, support just access to water resources in urban contexts across Europe.