RAINBOW

The Research Group Land Policy, Land Management, Municipal Geoinformation (BBV) is participating in the new European research project RAINBOW, which has officially launched under the Interreg North-West Europe program. The project brings together nine partners from Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands to develop innovative solutions for climate-resilient urban water management. With a total budget of €5.7 million, including €3.4 million in EU funding, RAINBOW will run from 2026 to 2029. 

The project addresses the increasing impacts of climate change, including flood risks and periods of water scarcity, by promoting the “sponge city” approach. This approach aims to improve the capacity of urban areas to absorb, store and reuse rainwater. By combining green infrastructure, groundwater management, and other nature-based solutions, RAINBOW seeks to restore more natural water cycles in cities. BBV contributes its expertise in analyzing institutional barriers to the implementation of sponge city solutions and in developing suitable land policy instruments and action plans for municipalities.

The consortium partners will co-develop strategies, implement pilot actions in selected urban areas, and support knowledge exchange to guide municipalities in their transition toward more resilient water management practices.