Not just floods – urban challenges are growing: 6th International Congress City-Water-Quality of Life

Water, a force of nature that has shaped cities for centuries, is now becoming one of the greatest challenges for their future. On one hand, its scarcity leads to droughts; on the other, recent floods in Poland demonstrate how difficult it is to control in an increasingly urbanized world. All these aspects will be addressed at the 6th International Congress City-Water-Quality of Life, taking place on October 15-16 at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology Congress Center and online.

Another major flood – lessons learned and unlearned

For six years, the City-Water-Quality of Life Congress has focused on the relationship between the aquatic environment and urban settings, and its impact on the quality of life for residents. The floods in southwestern Poland in September 2024 highlight how important and relevant this topic is. “In previous editions of the Congress, issues related to flood risk reduction were often discussed in a methodological and regional context, especially concerning Wrocław and southwestern Poland, including the Kłodzko Valley,” says Prof. Zbigniew Kundzewicz, hydrologist and Vice-Chair of the Congress Program Council.

This year’s Congress will also include this topic. “Prof. Janusz Zaleski’s presentation, ‘Another Major Flood – Lessons Learned and Unlearned,’ will directly address the events of September 2024. Dr. Anna Barcz from the Institute of History of the Polish Academy of Sciences will discuss what the history of Europe’s largest river overflows teaches us. In the panel ‘The Water Has Subsided, But Challenges in Cities Are Increasing,’ we will look at a wider range of threats – not just flooding, but other calamities as well. In the ‘Water-Friendly Architecture’ panel, we will try to answer whether and how to build near rivers and how to prepare structures for flood waves,” announces Prof. Anna Januchta-Szostak from the Faculty of Architecture at Poznań University of Technology, Vice-Chair of the Program Council.

Floods and climate change

Climate change significantly increases the risk of more frequent and severe floods. As Zbigniew Kundzewicz explains, “Climate change, including global warming and the fact that warmer air can hold more water vapor, increases the likelihood of intense rainfall, which can lead to flash and urban floods.”

This requires adaptation in water management policies and spatial planning. Desired adaptive actions include permeable surfaces and the creation of “blue and green infrastructure” both within cities and in upstream river basin areas. “It’s crucial to protect the still-existing urban ‘sponges’ such as wetlands, river valleys, oxbow lakes, and urban forests. Following the example of other European cities (e.g., Copenhagen, Rotterdam), we should also build retention infrastructure in cities, such as rain gardens, parks, or streets with enhanced retention capacity that can be closed during heavy rain,” says Anna Januchta-Szostak.

“We can also reduce exposure to flooding by limiting or prohibiting construction in flood-prone areas. In particular, it is important that architectural and critical infrastructure (e.g., hospitals) are not located in flood-risk zones,” she adds.

During the Congress, Frank Goossensen from Arcadis will present on climate resilience investment and best global practices in this area. Floris Boogaard from the Deltares research institute will share insights from 30 years of building climate resilience in the Netherlands.

About the event

Events like the City-Water-Quality of Life Congress provide an opportunity to identify problems and seek effective solutions in water management.

The speakers at the event include:

• Mateusz Balcerowicz – Deputy President of PGW Wody Polskie for Flood and Drought Protection;
• Alicja Michalik-Kucińska – Deputy President of PGW Wody Polskie for Water Environment Management;
• Prof. Paweł Wilk, Ph.D., Eng. – Director of the Research and Development Center, IMGW-PIB;
• Robert Konieczny – Architect, KWK Promes;
• Witold Ziomek – President of MPWiK S.A. in Wrocław;
• Robert Gajda – Vice-President of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management;
• Cecylia Malik – Painter, performer, educator, environmentalist, and urban activist;
• Yenny Vega Cardenas – President, International Observatory on Nature’s Rights;
• Georges Laimé – Water Governance and Circular Economy Unit, OECD;
• Prof. Jiang Tong – Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology.

As every year, the Congress will feature the premiere of the Water City INDEX 2024 report, a specialized ranking of Polish cities in terms of water resource management efficiency. The report presentation will be accompanied by an awards ceremony for the distinguished cities.

The event program also includes the presentation and discussion of the 4th Water Round Table program document: “Water in Agriculture – Opportunities and Threats.”

Accompanying events include the optical art exhibition “American Dream” by Wojciech Fangor at the Krupa Art Foundation (until October 20) and the orchestral concert “Become Ocean” at the Wrocław Philharmonic National Forum of Music (October 11).

The City-Water-Quality of Life Congress is an initiative of the Open Eyes Economy movement. The 6th edition is organized by the City of Wrocław, MPWiK in Wrocław, GAP Foundation in Kraków, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, and Convention Bureau Wrocław. Among the content partners are PGW Wody Polskie and the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. ING Bank Śląski supports the event.

The program and free registration for the Congress, as well as more information about accompanying events (with the option to attend on-site or online), are available on the event’s website.