NBSINFRA Summer School 2024 – EU Green Week (3-10 June 2024)

NBSINFRA International Summer School (3-10 June) is one of the partner events of EU Green Week 2024 and will focus on Water Resilience and Nature-Based Solutions.

The Summer School features a variety of activities including showrooms, webinars, masterclasses, roundtables and more, hosting numerous guests and experts. Some of these event will take place at the Casa de Comunidade Sustentavel, Parque da Cidade in Aveiro, Portugal, and others are held online. You can register here. 

EcoAventura: Showroom (3 to 9 of June), in person 

“EcoAventura”, an interactive exhibition experience at the International Summer School on Water Resilience and Nature-Based Solutions, where learning meets fun. Explore a variety of activities, immerse yourself in animated videos, watch demonstrations with Legos that creatively explain water resilience, and step into virtual reality to see nature-based solutions in action first-hand. Don’t miss the live science experiments that offer hands-on learning experiences. Whether you’re an industry professional, a student, or a curious member of the community, EcoAventura has something for everyone. Join the adventure and discover the future of nature-based water solutions.

3-7 June (9.30-17.00 Portugal time), 8-9 June (10.00-19.00 Portugal time)

Showroom: Animated videos, demonstration with legos, virtual reality, games, 3D Models, infographics, posters, scientific experiences.

June 6th, webinar: Water Resilience: Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainability (14.00-16.00 CEST)

The webinar will comprehensively explore resilience in urban infrastructures and the role of nature-based solutions (NBS) in promoting sustainability. It will present an overview of the objectives and agenda of the NBSINFRA project, followed by an analysis of the metrics and methodologies used to quantify resilience in urban environments. Speakers will discuss a range of innovative NBS applications, from limestone deposits for coastal protection to circular green roofs using recycled materials and self-healing concrete. And they will demonstrate how resilience modeling, e.g. advanced simulations, can guide the effective implementation of NBS. The concept of digital twinning will also be explored, highlighting its potential to create virtual models that inform urban planning and resilience strategies.

14.00 – Introduction, Project, and Agenda – Lorcan Connoly (RDS)

14.10 – Quantifying Resilience: Metrics and Methodologies for Urban Infrastructure – Amirmahdi Zarghami (UMINHO)

14.25 – Quantification of NBS Impact on Resilience and Sustainability – Yiannis Xenidis (APTh) 

14.45 – Resilience NBS1 – Calcareous deposit for coastal infrastructure protection – Pierre-Yves Mahieux (LRU)

15.00 – Break

15.05 – Resilience NBS2 – Circular Green Roofs – Utilizing Recycled Material – Michal Snehota (CVUT)

15.20 – Resilience NBS3 – Self-Healing Concrete – Ruben Paul Borg (UOM)

15.30 – NBS and Resilience Modelling – Mirjam Fehling-Kaschek (Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung EV) 

15.40 – NBS and Digital Twinning – Lorcan Connoly (RDS)

15.50 – Discussion and Webinar Close – Lorcan Connoly (RDS)

June 7th, in person: The current context of integrating natant-based solutions in urban centres – Exploring good and bad practices (8.30-12.00 Portugal time)

This masterclass will delve into the Natural Based Solutions (NBS) concept and their associated ecosystem services. We’ll explore how NBS are applied to the water cycle and the built environment, examining their transformative potential in addressing environmental challenges. Additionally, we’ll dissect the European legislative framework aimed at promoting the adoption of NBS, offering insights into the regulatory landscape driving sustainability initiatives.

08.30 – Registration

09.00 – Welcome to participants – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO – Universidade do Minho)

09.05 – Open Session: Special Guests from Local Authorities

09.30 – NBSINFRA – Project presentation – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO)

09.45 – Break

10.00 – Masterclass – Moderator: José Fernandes (UMINHO)

• Guest: Eng. Paulo Palha (CEO of Neoturf)

12.00 – Closing Session – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO)

June 7th, in person: Engagement methodologies and participatory case studies for Nature-based Solutions (14.00-18.00 Portugal time)

Explore methodologies for engagement and participation as employed by experts, alongside the knowledge sharing of their experiences derived from various projects. The intention is to foster an in-depth discussion that contributes to a broader understanding of this subject matter and underscores its significance, particularly within the realm of nature-based solutions.

14.00 – Welcome to participants – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO – Universidade do Minho)

14.06 – Roundtable – Moderator – Emília Araújo (UMINHO, Universidade do Minho)

•  Experts: PhD Diogo Vidal (Invited Assistant Researcher at Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra), Dr. João Rosas (Co-funder 4iS Inovação Social), one more expert to be confirmed

16.00 – Break

16.30 – Group Activity

17.50 – Closing Session – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO – Universidade do Minho)

June 8th, in person: Nature-based Solutions – Exploring New / Recovering Natural Engineering Techniques (09.00-13.00 Portugal time)

The masterclass “Nature-Based Solutions for Water – Exploring New/Recovering Natural Engineering Techniques” delves into innovative and traditional methods for managing water resources sustainably. It examines how nature-based solutions (NBS), such as constructed wetlands, bio-swales, and natural floodplains, can effectively address water-related challenges in modern landscapes. Participants explore the use of vegetation, soil, and natural hydrological processes to manage water flow, enhance water quality, and increase resilience to floods and droughts. The masterclass also revisits historical techniques that worked with natural systems, highlighting their relevance in contemporary engineering practices. Through case studies, hands-on activities, and expert insights, attendees gain a comprehensive understanding of how integrating these nature-based techniques can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient water management approach.

09.00 – Welcome to participants – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO – Universidade do Minho)

09.05 – Masterclass – Nature-Based Solutions for Water – Exploring New / Recovering Natural Engineering Techniques – Moderator – Fernando Almeida (CMA)

• Experts –  Eng Aldo Freitas (General Manager of EcoSalix), PhD Gonçalo Moniz (Researcher at the Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra), TBC (Laboratório da Paisagem)

10.00 – Break

12.55 – Closing Session – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO – Universidade do Minho)

June 8th, in person: Harnessing Local and Expert Knowledge for Multifunctional Nature-based Solutions in Water Management – A Multidisciplinary Approach (14.00-18.00 Portugal time)

The roundtable “Harnessing Local and Expert Knowledge for Multifunctional Nature-Based Solutions in Water Management – A Multidisciplinary Approach” brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore the benefits of integrating local knowledge with expert insights for effective water management. The panellists examine how incorporating local community insights can lead to more culturally sensitive and contextually relevant NBS designs, while experts in ecology, engineering, and hydrology contribute technical expertise to ensure the solutions are effective and scalable. The roundtable emphasizes collaboration between communities, researchers, and policymakers to create nature-based solutions that not only manage water effectively but also provide additional benefits like enhanced biodiversity, improved public spaces, and climate resilience. Through shared experiences and practical examples, participants learn how a multidisciplinary approach can lead to more robust and sustainable water management strategies.

14.00 – Welcome to participants – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO – Universidade do Minho)

14.05 – Roundtable – Harnessing Local and Expert Knowledge for Multifunctional Nature-based Solutions in Water Management – A Multidisciplinary Approach – Moderator – Ângela Cunha (CMA)

• Experts – Luís Guedes de Carvalho (Managing Partner of Atelier do Beco da Bela Vista)
  Peter Roebeling (Senior Researcher at the Department of Environment & Planning of University of Aveiro), João Rosas (Co-funder 4iS Inovação Social), Fátima Alves (Director of Department of Environment and Planning of University of Aveiro), Emília Araújo (Associated Professor at Department of Sociology, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Minho)

17:55 – Closing Session – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO – Universidade do Minho)

June 9: Open Day: Do it Yourself (09.00-18.00 Portugal time)

09.00 to 18.00 – Activities in the showroom (Parque da Cidade)

• Scientific experiences and 3D Model – What is an NBS?; How do they protect the Cities?
• Green Wall – How to implement NBS at home: a green wall, which plants to use, etc.)?

09.00 to 18.00 – Activities in Casa da Comunidade Sustentável

• Animated Videos, Infographics, Posters – What is an NBS?; How do they protect the Cities?; What is a Critical Infrastructure?
• Demonstration with Legos – How to co-create a solution?
• Virtual Reality/ Games – Pick the coins and see why nature is important.

14.00 to 18.00:

• NBSINFRA – Project – Come and meet the Coordinator of the Project, ask questions, and have a conversation.

June 10th, webinar: Water Wisdom: Co-designing Nature-based Solutions with stakeholders and tools (09.00-12.00 CEST)

Experts share tools and methodologies that promote co-design, illustrating the benefits of inclusive practices through case studies of successful NBS implementations. The webinar demonstrates how integrating social, ecological, and technical perspectives creates resilient solutions that not only address water issues but also enhance biodiversity, provide recreational spaces, and boost climate resilience.

09.00 – Introduction, Project, and Agenda – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO)

09.10 – Empowering communities: Role of digital tools for participatory planning processes – TBC (UCD)

09.40 – Digital negotiations for water infrastructure deployment – Hrishikes Ballal (GDH)

10.10 – Fingal City Lab: Local contextualization of blue-green infrastructure planning – TBC (Fingal Council)

10.40 – Researching towards social engagement: Notes from Ribeira de Vilar case study – Claudia Pereira (UMINHO)

11.10 – Web text mining, video neuro analytics, multiple criteria intelligent decision support systems, and behavioral games for Nature-based Solutions – Artūras Kaklauskas (VILNIUSTECH)

11.40 – Discussion and Webinar Closure – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO)

June 10th: Flowing knowledge: Nature-based solutions and water in science communication (14.00-16.00 CEST)

Nature-Based Solutions from theory to practice

The webinar highlights how well-communicated science can drive public interest and support for nature-based approaches. Through this webinar, participants gain insights into crafting impactful messages that resonate with diverse audiences, fostering a greater understanding of the critical role NBS plays in sustainable water management.

Moderation: UMINHO

14.00 Introduction, project and agenda – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO)

14.10 NBS in the EU context – Philippe Quevauviller (CERIS, EU)

14.20 Zahra Amirzada (UNESCO Brussels) – Introduction

NBS in the global context – Faduma Ali (UNESCO DRR) – Potential of NBS4DRR and UNESCO initatives

14.35  Strengthening Communities: Localized NBS Strategies for Resilience – Laura Sandra Leo (UNIBO) – NBS projects panorama (OPERANDUM, ALBATROSS), Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa (UNESCO IHP) – NBS and water resilience in cities

14.55 Q&A

PART II / NBS and Water in Science Communication 

15.00 Introduction: ways to communicate – Alice de Ferrari (Project Management Officer, Communication expert, ICONS)

15.10 Quiz

15.15 Dedicated days and social media campaigns (World Water Day etc.) – Oyku Dogan (Communication expert, ICONS)

15.25 Examples of communication from different projects:

1. Waste water: A more technical approach (WalNUT project)
2. NBS: Implemented water related NBS (NBS Selection Tool etc.) (URBAN GreenUP project)
3. Climate extremes: Science Communication through art (The HuT project) – Chiara Serio (Communication expert, ICONS)

15.55 Webinar Close – Elisabete Teixeira (UMINHO)

You can register here.