Deploying the added value of water in local and regional development

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European regions and cities face important challenges related to water management: storage and discharge after (heavy) rainfall, quality, periodic water stress, etc. To address these challenges, it is evident that water must become an integral part of spatial development policies and their implementation. However, until now, water management issues are often secondary. Water issues compete with other public concerns resulting in insufficient public and political support. The general thinking is that incorporating water in spatial development costs money. Aqua-add partners observe that stakeholders in the public area are often not aware of the added value that efficient water management can bring to spatial developments. While it may bring added cost, it also allows areas to be better protected against flooding and becoming more attractive. It brings economic benefits and contributes to quality of life. Aim/objectives: Partners aim to better deploy the potential of water (economically, socially and environmentally) in urbanised landscapes and to improve the incorporation of water in spatial development. They will exchange experiences and good practices, including soft testing on: 1 stakeholder involvement 2 added value of blue space in urbanised landscapes, achieving better informed decision making 3 successful business models for water-projects Activities: Ad 1) In planning processes, all relevant stakeholders (spatial planners, real estate developers, traffic department, politicians etc.) should be made aware of the impact that spatial plans have on water management and should become convinced of the added value of water. To achieve this, water experts (and public authorities in general) have to take a pro-active role. Aqua-add will exchange strategies for fruitful cooperation. Ad 2) The added value of water is still underestimated. Aqua-add will collect, analyse and promote the specific functions, services and values of water. Partners will use a Decision Support Tool – computer model that shows the (potential) social, environmental and economic impact of water and can facilitate decision making processes with several stakeholders. Ad 3)Realisation of plans is often difficult due to lack of funding or uneven distribution of costs and benefits. Aqua-add will exchange suitable business models, such as public-private arrangements and cost management of investments and maintenance. Partnership: a smart combination of public authorities and knowledge institutions: Eindhoven (NL); Copenhagen(DK); Aveiro Region Intermunicipal Community & Univ. of Aveiro(PT); Univ. of Debrecen, Centre Environmental Management&Policy, Trans-Tisza region Environmental & water inspectorate(HU); Bremerhaven(DE); Univ. of Genoa, Imperia(IT); Grand Lyon(FR); Sofia(BU). Knowledge institutions are carefully selected on their expertise on applying science in practice, they make state of the art methodologies available for the cities and regions.

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