Last week marked the launch of the European project ‘Spongeworks’ in Hardenberg. This project focuses on developing ‘sponge landscapes,’ where the soil can better retain and gradually release water, much like a sponge. During ‘Spongeworks,’ various European partners collaborate to connect practical measures with scientific knowledge. The University of Twente is involved through DesignLab and the faculties of ET and BMS in researching collaboration between stakeholders.
Designing Landscapes Like a Sponge
Europe is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. We need to prepare for extreme weather. To manage both excessive water and drought, ‘Spongeworks’ investigates how landscapes can be designed to function like a sponge. Scientific knowledge about water in the soil is widely applied across three European regions in this project, helping landscapes become more resilient to climate change. The effects of these measures are monitored to enable their implementation across Europe.
‘Sponge Measures’ around the Vecht
The Vecht is one of the three regions where this research is taking place, alongside the Lèze in France and the Pinios in Greece. Sponge measures are natural solutions and techniques that improve soil health, allowing it to better retain and gradually release water, just like a sponge. This can include measures such as creating buffer strips or rewetting grasslands.
Building a Climate-Resilient Living Environment
The municipality of Hardenberg prioritises a climate-resilient and nature-inclusive living environment. “We are very pleased to be part of ‘Spongeworks’ as a municipality,” says Alderman te Rietstap. “In Hardenberg, we aim to live sustainably with water by (re)designing the sponge function around the Vecht. By implementing measures on both small and large scales, within the city and beyond, we can better handle both water surpluses and shortages.”
Bridging Science and Practice
There is a strong collaboration between scientific research and practical measures. The project includes organisations responsible for implementing the measures (such as governments and agricultural organizations) as well as those studying their effects (such as the University of Twente). For the Vecht region, partners include the Municipality of Hardenberg, Waterschap Vechtstromen, and Grafschaft Bentheim. DesignLab plays a crucial role in engaging regional stakeholders in the Vecht area, bridging the gap between science and practice by ensuring that the expertise of both practitioners and researchers is effectively integrated.
More information
If you want more information about Spongworks, click here
