NBSINFRA project meeting in Cologne: exploring nature-based solutions for flood and heat resilience

From 14 to 16 October 2025, the NBSINFRA consortium gathered in Cologne (Germany) for a three-day meeting hosted by the local partners.

On the first day, partners shared project updates and achievements during the review meeting, providing an overview of the progress made over the past months and setting the path for the next project phase.

The second day was dedicated to a field visit, exploring Cologne’s grey, green and blue infrastructures. The city of Cologne is characterised by its close relationship with the Rhine River, which has repeatedly flooded the city in recent decades, notably in 1993 and 1995, causing serious. More recently, heavy rainfall in July 2021 led to severe flooding in the Wupper and Erft basins, with rivers reaching unprecedented levels.

To mitigate such risks, Cologne combines traditional grey infrastructure with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), including retention basins, floodplains and riparian vegetation that help manage excess water while enhancing local biodiversity. During the visit, participants had the chance to see barriers along the Rhine used to control floodwaters and to discuss the ongoing design of green roofs and community engagement activities aimed at addressing urban heat islands and pluvial flooding.

The meeting concluded with a Science Fair, where project partners presented their research papers and findings, sparking fruitful discussions on methodologies, results, and next steps within NBSINFRA.