Innovative solutions for Urban Water Security presented at the last ESP Conference

The poster, titled "Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Water Security in the Greater Asmara Area", was recognized for its ambitious and innovative approach to tackling urban water challenges through strategic planning with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).

The NBS4WATER project, funded by the Province of Bolzano, applies novel methods developed at Eurac Research to assess climate change-related risks. It also builds on previous work by Dr. Adem Esmail, including mapping and valuation of ecosystems and their services in the Greater Asmara Area, Eritrea, and the application of geodesign to support spatial planning for transformative change in Stochholm, Sweden. These advanced methodologies will be combined with hydrological modelling and participatory approaches to address water security challenges in Asmara, Eritrea's UNESCO-listed capital. The 5th ESP Europe Conference, a global platform for ecosystem services research, provided the perfect venue to showcase this work under the theme "One Planet, One Health". Participants praised the poster for its actionable insights and strategic vision, in line with the conference's focus on transformative environmental solutions. The poster, a collaboration between experts from Eurac Research (Italy), Asmara Heritage Project (Eritrea), University of Trento (Italy), Leibniz Universität Hanover (Germany), and University of Waterloo (Canada), highlights the potential of NBS to improve urban water resilience while providing valuable co-benefits.