Informed Cities Newsletter - From rivers to coastlines: designing climate-ready waterfronts

Waterfront cities across Europe are taking on the challenges of climate change by reimagining their rivers, canals, and coastlines with communities, nature and the future in mind. In the Re-Value cities of Rijeka, Ålesund, Písek, Bruges, and Rimini, urban initiatives – from beach and building clean-ups to creative engagement activities close to a caravan or along a former railway line – are showing how cities can collaborate with citizens and youth to make their waterfronts more sustainable, accessible and resilient.

The Re-Value SeaTowel, woven with yarn made from upcycled marine plastic and recycled cotton, has been travelling across Europe since the beginning of October to highlight and encourage such local actions and storytelling. Through the #ReValueYourWaterfront challenge, cities are invited to share photos of their SeaTowel in their re-valued (or not yet re-valued) waterfront, contributing to a growing network of initiatives and stories. Important disclaimer: The pictures do not need to be beautiful beach shots - they need to highlight critical water issues!

This edition of the Informed Cities Newsletter also highlights how cities are using nature-based solutions with measurable impact, exploring heat mapping and urban regeneration with UP2030, and sharing lessons on urban transformation in Helsinki, Karlsruhe, and Utrecht.

Read our December 2025 Newsletter