What we achieve
Harnessing Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development in the Mediterranean – URWAN project addresses severe drought and climate impacts in Mediterranean regions through Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in urban regeneration. It optimizes public funds via community-driven NbS implementation, enhancing water management and social inclusion. By harmonizing solutions across diverse regions, it mitigates climate vulnerabilities and promotes sustainable urban development.
Pilot Area in Rome – “Matteo Ricci” School (Municipality IX, Via Cina 4, Rome, Italy)
The URWAN pilot in Rome is located within a public school in Municipality IX and demonstrates how Nature-based Solutions can improve urban resilience through sustainable stormwater management and climate adaptation.
The intervention focuses on reducing soil sealing and enhancing the management of external water flows through a combination of depaving measures, rain gardens, bioretention systems, permeable surfaces, and rainwater harvesting solutions. These measures help collect, infiltrate, retain, and naturally filter rainwater, reducing surface runoff while mitigating urban heat island effects and improving environmental quality.
The pilot also serves as a living laboratory where students, teachers, families, and local stakeholders actively participate in the co-design and monitoring of the implemented solutions, fostering environmental awareness and long-term stewardship.
URWAN Pilot Site – Cuba, Alentejo (Portugal)
The URWAN pilot in the Municipality of Cuba, located in the Alentejo region of Portugal, addresses one of the most pressing challenges of Mediterranean territories: water scarcity. The intervention promotes a circular approach to water management by integrating Nature-based Solutions designed to capture, treat, store, and reuse alternative water resources. The pilot includes vertical constructed wetlands, green roofs, water storage infrastructure, and water reuse systems that support urban vegetation while reducing dependence on conventional water supplies. By combining ecological design with efficient water management, the pilot demonstrates how urban green infrastructure can contribute to climate adaptation, biodiversity enhancement, and resource efficiency in regions increasingly affected by drought and water stress.
Partnership and territorial impact
Spanning 7 countries, the project brings together 8 partners as of 2025, following the withdrawal of the Municipality of Larnaka from the consortium. It enhances the impact of public funding by implementing multifunctional Nature-based Solutions (NbS) developed through community-driven design processes. These NbS serve not only as tools for water management but also as drivers of aesthetic value and social inclusion. By integrating these approaches, the project promotes sustainability and optimises public investments, combining soil and water management with urban regeneration and the creation of high-quality public green spaces.
A Catalogue from the URWAN Project – Coordinated by ANCI Lazio
The URWAN project, led by ANCI Lazio, has developed a comprehensive catalogue of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) focused on sustainable water management and urban greening. The catalogue provides a detailed overview of innovative and replicable solutions that enhance water resilience, promote urban biodiversity, and improve the quality of life in cities and towns.
Organised into two main categories – WATER SNOB NbS and WATER SMART NbS – the catalogue explores how nature-based systems can mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce runoff, and support circular water use, particularly in dense or vulnerable urban environments.
Each solution is presented with technical features, environmental benefits, and practical examples for integration in different urban contexts, from small villages to metropolitan areas.
Download the URWAN NbS catalogue
Cover NbS Catalogue[/caption]
URWAN MEDIA KIT
About URWAN
URWAN (Urban Regenerative Water Avant-garde) is a project funded by the Interreg Euro-MED programme, aimed at enhancing urban resilience and sustainability across the Mediterranean through Nature-based-Solutions (NbS). The project brings together a network of partners from different Mediterranean regions, committed to promoting innovative practices for sustainable water management and urban regeneration.
Project in one sentence
With URWAN, we are Enhancing Urban Resilience and Sustainability in the Mediterranean through Nature-Based Solutions.
Project description
URWAN aims to enhance the capacity of local authorities to plan and implement resilient urban development through Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs), utilizing a participatory approach. By leveraging the expertise and results of previous projects, URWAN will provide municipalities and key stakeholders with an optimized and comprehensive toolkit to address climate change adaptation and sustainable urban regeneration, ensuring efficient resource use and greater social inclusion across the Mediterranean region.
