In this edition of SustainaLab Talks, we dive into how to turn our cities into sponges.

How can we make Dutch cities resilient to flooding, drought, and the growing demand for water? Join experts from research, business, and policy as we explore innovative ways to build a truly climate-proof future. The program will conclude with drinks and networking.

Speakers:

– Daniel Goedbloed, Strategic Advisor at Amsterdam Weerproof — an initiative of Waternet and the City of Amsterdam — will share how the city is preparing for more extreme weather. Bringing together residents, businesses, researchers, and public institutions, Amsterdam Weerproof works to make the city resilient to heavy rainfall, heat, and drought.
– Dr. Elisabeth Krueger, Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam, is an environmental hydrologist whose research explores the resilience and sustainability of urban water systems worldwide. In her talk, she will introduce the concept of water sensitive cities – cities sensitive to water from local to global scales. Here, she will discuss the role of “coastal” cities, such as Amsterdam, for ecological health and human wellbeing and what that means for their adaptation to water extremes.
– Dr. Jannes Willems, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Amsterdam, studies how cities prepare for climate change through the creation of new water infrastructures. In his talk, he will explore how planners and water managers are rethinking urban systems to enable sustainability transitions — and what these shifts mean for communities, governance, and everyday urban life.
– Paco Martina (Growth Marketing Manager) and Max Verbeek (Key Account Manager, Real Estate) at Smartvatten partner with real estate owners and water utilities to optimize consumption. Smartvatten monitors and analyzes usage in real time, detects leaks, and reduces waste. In their talk, Paco and Max show how data-driven insights make buildings more water-efficient and resilient to climate extremes and water scarcity—while raising awareness among building users and owners.
– Moderation: Wendela van Asbeck, SustainaLab