URWAN highlighted at Climate Adaptation Workshop in Setúbal

As part of the ongoing efforts to promote sustainable urban development, Make it Better, the Portuguese partner of the URWAN project (Interreg Euro-MED), has actively participated in the workshop “Nature-Based Solutions – Promoting Climate Adaptation in Urban Areas”, hosted by ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável (Association for the Sustainability of the Earth System), jointly with the Municipality of Setúbal. The event, held in Setúbal under the Social Economy Goes Green initiative, brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders to explore the role of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in enhancing urban resilience to climate change. Make it Better presented the URWAN initiative currently being implemented in the Municipality of Cuba, which, among other participatory activities goals, focuses on the co-design and rehabilitation of a public building using NBS, with a strong emphasis on efficient water management — a critical issue in the context of increasing water scarcity. “This project is not just about infrastructure,” said José Nunes, Make it Better. “It’s about demonstrating how nature-inspired solutions can be integrated into small urban settings to deliver real environmental, social, and economic benefits.” Beyond water efficiency, the presentation highlighted the multifunctional value of NBS, including their contributions to biodiversity preservation, climate adaptation, and the well-being of local communities. Participants were also invited to explore the URWAN NBS Catalogue, which showcases practical examples and strategies for implementing NBS in Mediterranean urban contexts. The workshop served as a platform to exchange best practices and reinforce the importance of collaborative, nature-based approaches in shaping greener, more resilient cities.