NATCULT WATERFUTURES
Integrating Cultural And Natural Values in reimagining Urban Waterscape Futures
Duration: 1 September 2026 - 28 February 2029
Funding programme: MSCA ERA PD Fellowships call: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships
Project budget: € 226 779,60
SEL NTUA budget: € 226 779,60
Coordinator: SEL NTUA
SEL NTUA role: Academic coordinator/main beneficiary
Project website: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101334332 https://www.linkedin.com/company/145289003/admin/dashboard/
NATCULT Summary and Objectives
The research project aims to provide innovative tools for mapping cultural and natural values that citizens assign to urban waterways and use those to inform co-creation of scenarios for use and regeneration of historic waterscapes with Nature Based solutions (NBS). Co-creating scenarios on futures of urban waterways with planners, engineers and citizens the research will enable reflection on diverse cultural, natural and historic values and enable implementation of (NBS) applications in sustainable regeneration. The study will enable better uptake, acceptance and adaptation of NBS applications in waterway regeneration by focusing on social acceptance aspects, cultural & natura values assigned to waterways, and ultimately inform collaborative and innovative planning and design interventions that amplify co-benefits for nature and communities. The work will enable operationalization of the recent IPBES Nature Futures Framework, and inform a participatory methodology for co-creation of future imaginaries for
urban rivers, including the use and implementation of NBS and influence guidance development across EU contexts.
NATCULT Sites
The project aims to focus initially in two key rivers and their tributaries/streams in the context of
Attica, Kifisos and Ilissos, both bearing significant historic value and undergone multiple
transformations leading to channelization and covering of their area, obstructing free flow and
resulting in significant cases of environmental pollution incidence due to co-existence with
industrial land uses along their flow. Those run across multiple municipalities in Attica and a
focus on specific streams along their length will enable further understanding of trade-offs
regarding interventions and citizen’s perceptions of the river more directly. The project will
assess international set of daylighting and rewilding across Europe and beyond to inform the
opportunities for change and inform scenarios’ development.
The project includes a set of activities suited for Training and Transdisciplinary
research skills development for the career development of the researcher as well as Science
communication and Policy engagement skills through active engagement and informal training.
Role of SEL NTUA in the project
SEL NTUA is the main beneficiary in the project, while Prof. S.Malamis is guiding and advising the
researcher in the design and delivery of the project. Building on the existing experience of the
NURISH and CARDIMED and relevant projects by SEL NTUA, the researcher will
expand the understanding of feasible interventions at the context of urban riverfronts, supporting sustainable futures for the wider Mediterranean.
SEL NTUA team
Researcher: Dr Eirini Gallou
Academic coordinator & supervisor: Prof. Simos Malamis
Secondment and academic supervisor: Prof. Niki Frantzeskaki, University of Utrecht
Placement partner: MIO-ECSDE
Innovation pillars
Water and biomass management and valorisation
Aquatic ecosystems monitoring and pollution control
Environmental assessment
