COST and WssTP joint strategic conference: Water in the urban environment - Bringing research to the market

Water is not only as a resource, it has now become a serious political issue. COST, in collaboration with Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform (WssTP), brought together scientists and decision-makers to an event that focused on water in the urban environment, discussed the key issue of better water governance and created a market for research.

The key to successful water governance is to find the right balance between science and policy. This is guaranteed by the involvement of three COST Domains, Earth System Sciences and Environmental Management (ESSEM), Transport and Urban Development (TUD), and Food and Agriculture (FA).

Initiated by the European Commission in 2004, WssTP promotes coordination and collaboration of research and technology development in the water industry. Initially, supported through the 6th Framework Programme, WssTP became a legal entity after the funding ended and has 80 members from industry, academics, research and public utilities.

Defined as a European Commission Europe 2020 initiative, the European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs), supported under the Innovation Union, are a new approach to EU research and innovation. There are currently five EIPs and Water, led by DG RTI and DG ENV, was adopted on 11 June 2012. Meanwhile, initiated by the European Council, the Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) on Water Challenges for a Changing World, was launched on 4 December 2011 and is supported by a Coordination and Support Action under the 7th Framework Programme, starting on 1 January 2013.

The Lisbon Civil Protection Department participated in the Conference with the communication 'How to prevent and mitigate floods in Lisbon City-2013'. Their main message was to illustrate the flood risk assessment in the city of Lisbon and how the Lisbon Civil Protection of Lisbon evaluates the flood risk along the river shore and its mapping.