LIFE WATERCOOL: Water efficient systemic concept for the climate change adaptation in urban areas

The WATERCOOL project aims to develop and test innovative solutions to cope with high temperatures, both outdoors and indoors, and with temporarily high water run-off as well as drought situations in an urban environment subject to climate change. The urban water network will act as the basic structure for the development of urban green solutions and cooling measures to adapt to the effects of climate change, maximising the sustainability of the city and citizens well-being.

In a demonstration area on one avenue, water infrastructure will be used as a vehicle for cost-effective adaptation to heat (by combining cool reservoirs and functional pavements) and to improve efficiency in water use and comfort. WATERCOOL will also carry out three demonstrations of a bioclimatic comfort stay, for short-, medium- and long-term stays. A short-term stay is one with a high density of occupation for a short period of time (e.g. at a bus stop or pedestrian crossing). Medium-term stays comprise those of intensive and discontinuous use (such as at rest areas outside buildings). Long-term stays include those of variable occupation during a longer period (e.g. at street intersections).

The project will contribute to implementation of a range of policy and legislation, including the EU adaptation strategy, the roadmap to a resource efficient Europe (COM(2011)571), the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020, and the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.