How can we better prepare our landscapes and communities for the floods and droughts of tomorrow? This was the big question guiding the recent Land4Flood workshop in Timișoara, Romania, where around 40 researchers and practitioners from across Europe came together to share knowledge, ideas, and practical experiences.
IMPETUS in the Spotlight
Among the participants was Kristina Veidemane from the Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia, who brought forward experiences from the Climate IMPETUS project. Her talk, “Adaptation Pathways as a Tool for Planning Flood Risk Reduction Measures in Light of Climate Change Impacts”, highlighted lessons learned in Latvia’s Zemgale region.
Kristina’s presentation stressed the importance of combining different types of actions when planning for flood risk reduction:
- Building capacity – making sure authorities and local communities are ready to respond when floods strike.
- Blending measures – using nature-based solutions (NBS) alongside traditional “grey” infrastructure.
Why does this matter? Because NBS not only reduce risks in a cost-effective way, but also bring many added benefits: richer biodiversity, spaces for recreation, and stronger, more resilient ecosystems and communities.
Learning in the Field
The workshop also included a study visit to the Banat region, organised by the Politehnica University of Timișoara. Participants explored real-world examples of water management solutions in an area where floods and droughts deeply affect agriculture and local life.
Highlights included:
- Costeiu Hydraulic Node – a historic system designed to control water flow between the Timiș and Bega rivers.
- Lake Surduc – a multipurpose reservoir that not only helps protect against floods, but also supplies drinking water and offers space for recreation.
Looking Ahead
The conversations and site visits in Timișoara made one thing very clear: Europe needs climate-resilient solutions now more than ever. By combining science, local knowledge, and cross-border collaboration, projects like IMPETUS are helping to shape a safer, more sustainable future for our land and water resources.
