PortCityFutures

The Water Discovery Lab made its first journey outside the Netherlands, hosted by the Le Havre Port Center! This interactive exhibition reinterpreted insights from the Rhine and Maas basins to explore the past, present, and future of the Seine, focusing on governance, environmental challenges, and sustainable development. Through discussions led by Greta Delsalle Marini, Camille Leroy, and Bénédicte Dufour, visitors examined the complexities of water governance, the vulnerabilities of port infrastructures on former marshlands, and adaptive strategies for the future. The program featured a playthrough of the Water Values serious game, engaging professionals and the public in real-world water management scenarios, alongside an interactive mapping exercise for younger visitors. A roundtable discussion with experts further contextualized the Seine’s evolving water cycle, addressing ecological concerns, infrastructure, and economic imperatives. By bringing together stakeholders and fostering dialogue, the Water Discovery Lab inspired new ways of thinking about water’s role in shaping port cities. Thanks again to Le Havre Port Center for having us, and we are looking forward to where the Water Discovery Lab may travel next! Find the exhibition and more on our website: https://bit.ly/4l4N2yM

💦Today, on World Water Day (March 22), we recognize the urgent need to rethink how we manage, value and sustain water resources. This year, we highlight Capacity Development and Cultural Heritage: Toward a New “Culture of Water” by Eddy Moors, which explores how traditional knowledge and cultural heritage can play an important role in addressing today’s water challenges.   🌍 Water is not just a resource, it is a legacy. From ancient rainwater harvesting systems to traditional irrigation techniques, cultural heritage offers time-tested solutions that can enhance modern water management. However, as UN Water (2020) has identified, capacity development is essential to ensuring these solutions are not lost but adapted for contemporary needs.   🔍 The article examines how integrating historical water practices into education, governance, and infrastructure can lead to more sustainable and inclusive water policies. It also highlights the importance of long-term capacity development, rather than short-term, product-driven solutions, to create a truly resilient water culture.   📖 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dJF6ssbV

Join us this Friday for the March edition of PCF Talks! When: March 21st, 2025 | 9:00 - 12:00 Where: Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft & via Zoom Full program and zoom link: https://bit.ly/4kycOv3 🔹 Theme – Coastal Cities, with introduction by Fransje Hooimeijer (TU Delft, PCF) 🔹 Keynote Talks Floating Developments: The Next Chapter in Dutch Delta Management? – Barbara Dal Bo Zanon (TU Delft) explores floating urban development as a climate adaptation strategy. Deltaic Systems – Tara Kanj (TU Delft) examines how different cultures conceptualize and respond to climate-related disasters in delta systems. 🔹 PCF Community Engagement Amphibious Waterfronts: Coastal Adaptation to Rising Sea Levels – Nebojša Jeremić (Politecnico di Milano) discusses design-driven strategies for urban resilience. Living with Water: Adaptive Strategies for Coastal Resilience in Darukhana – Shubham Majumder (Politecnico di Milano) presents sustainable approaches for high-density waterfronts. 🔹 Updates on PCF Lighthouse Projects & New Opportunities Stay informed regarding the latest PCF initiatives, research projects, and collaborations shaping the future of coastal resilience. See you there!

📢 PACT Website Launch Event – Paris, March 12th 9:00 Join us for the PACT Management Committee Meeting as we officially launch www.pact-costaction.eu! 🌍⚡ At this event, hosted by the Institut d’études avancées de Paris, the enablers of PACT and COST will discuss the future of inclusive energy transitions in port city territories. 📅 March 12 | 9:00 AM 📍 Paris Institut d'études Avancées de Paris For online participation, send an email to pact.costaction@gmail.com Stay connected and be part of the conversation!

PACT Launches Its New Website! 🚀🚀 We’re thrilled to introduce www.pact-costaction.eu, the official digital hub for Port City Territories in Action (PACT)! 🎉 This platform marks a major step forward in our mission to drive inclusive energy transitions in port city territories across Europe. ⚡ What’s PACT? A COST Action initiative tackling the challenges of energy transition in port cities through collaboration, research, and innovation. What You’ll Find on Our Website: 🔹 Insights on our six pilot projects in European port cities 🔹 Updates from our working groups & upcoming events 🔹 Opportunities to connect & collaborate Join the PACT management committee meeting in Paris on March 12th, 9:00 (for online participation, send an email to pact.costaction@gmail.com). 📢 Visit www.pact-costaction.eu & follow us for updates!

New blog! Since 1958, Hamburg and Marseille have been connected not just by the sea, but by a shared vision of trade, innovation, and urban development. ⚓🌊 What started as an economic partnership has evolved into a broader collaboration in culture, infrastructure, and sustainability. These port cities prove that harbors are more than just logistical hubs—they are bridges between economies, communities, and ideas. From shipping routes to cultural exchanges, the connection between Hamburg and Marseille continues to grow and adapt to modern challenges. 🚀✨ Read it here: https://bit.ly/4ilS87D #PortCities #MaritimeConnections #Hamburg #Marseille #GlobalTrade #PortCityFutures

New blog! 🏰✨ The historic Old Fortress of Livorno, a symbol of the city's rich maritime heritage, is set to receive a new lease on life! In early 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Livorno Municipality, the North Tyrrhenian Port Network Authority, and the Maremma & Tyrrhenian Chamber of Commerce. This collaboration aims to enhance and preserve the fortress, ensuring it remains a vibrant cultural and social hub. With its strategic location bridging the city and the port, the Old Fortress stands as a testament to Livorno's dynamic past and its commitment to fostering community engagement. Let's celebrate this initiative to protect and promote our shared heritage! Read it here: https://bit.ly/41IFc5d #LivornoOldFortress #CulturalHeritage #PortCityConnection #HistoricPreservation #CommunityEngagement #PortCityFutures

New blog! "Step inside the Mohammed VI Museum for Water Civilization in Marrakech, where Director Abdennabi El Mandour sheds light on Morocco’s deep-rooted relationship with water. 💧 From ancient hydraulic innovations to modern sustainability efforts, the museum offers a fascinating journey through time, showcasing how water has shaped Moroccan civilization. Through education and awareness, El Mandour emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional water knowledge while adapting to contemporary challenges. Let’s celebrate this invaluable heritage! 🇲🇦✨" Read it here: https://lnkd.in/dRw-n78T #WaterCivilization #MoroccanHeritage #SustainableWaterManagement #MarrakechMuseums #PortCityFutures

New Event! 🌍💙 In times of climate change, we must rethink how we connect with rivers, seas, and other bodies of water. By embracing ecosystem approaches and historical practices, we can create sustainable, habitable, and just spaces—protecting heritage while adapting for the future. The stories we tell, the heritage we preserve, and the projects we develop shape how we live with water today and tomorrow. In World Heritage cities along rivers, a growing interest in aquatic life is shifting our understanding of heritage—from static monuments to dynamic, evolving landscapes. The banks of the Seine in Paris offer a powerful example of how we can honor history while designing a resilient future. 🚤✨ Let’s reimagine our waterscapes for a better tomorrow! Sorbonne Université UNESCO More here: https://bit.ly/41CME2Y #LivingWithWater #SustainableHeritage #ClimateAction #CulturalHeritage #WorldHeritage #SeineParis #FutureByDesign #UrbanRivers #PortCityFutures

New blog! 🌊🏊♂️ The Athenian Riviera has transformed dramatically since the 1800s, evolving from modest wooden bathing platforms to a luxurious coastal destination. Early developments in Piraeus and Neo Faliro introduced public baths and neoclassical hotels, fostering a vibrant swimming culture among Athenians. Today, ambitious projects like the €397 million Aenaon Metropolitan Park and the €13 billion Ellinikon Project are reshaping the coastline, blending public amenities with upscale accommodations. While these developments enhance urban swimming opportunities, they also raise questions about accessibility and social inclusivity. As the Riviera flourishes, it's essential to balance modernization with the preservation of communal spaces for all Athenians to enjoy. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3QBMCln #AthenianRiviera #UrbanSwimming #CoastalDevelopment #AthensHistory #InclusiveGrowth #PortCityFutures