19 Nov 2024
The International Workshop on Urbanization and Sustainable Water Management was successfully held on November 4–5, 2024, at the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Stiftung in Munich.
The International Workshop on Urbanization and Sustainable Water Management was successfully held on November 4–5, 2024, at the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Stiftung in Munich. The workshop was organized by Dr Olabisi S. Obaitor from the Teaching and Research Unit Human-Environment Relationships, Department of Geography at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, in collaboration with the IAHS Urban Water Working Group.
The event brought together international experts to address critical issues stemming from the accelerating pace of urbanization and its impact on global water systems. Keynote speakers Dr. Maria Magdalena Warter, Prof. Claire Welty, and Prof. Dr. Mathias Garschagen shared their insights on the intersection of urban growth, hydrology, nature-based solutions, climate change risk and and flood management.
Discussions highlighted pressing global trends, including the rapid rate of urbanization in the Global South, which is placing immense strain on water resources in terms of both quality and quantity. The workshop also underscored how rising flood events—affecting both the Global South and North—are being worsened by unchecked urban sprawl and demographic growth. Coastal cities were identified as areas requiring urgent attention due to the compounded pressure on their water systems.
A key outcome of the workshop was a call to action for integrating nature-based solutions and reintroducing biodiversity into urban environments to counterbalance the environmental and social challenges posed by urbanization.
The workshop’s success was made possible by the LMU Excellence Initiative through the PostDoc fund, which supported the participation of 15 scholars, including 8 representatives from Africa and Asia, ensuring diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in urban water management. Additionally, the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation provided critical support in hosting the event in Munich.