3rd UFZ Innovation Forum "Intelligent water cycles for resilient cities"

3rd UFZ Innovation Forum "Intelligent water cycles for resilient cities"

05.11.2025 | 09:00 - 17:00 | Region Leipzig

Leipziger KUBUS | Permoserstr. 15 | 04318 Leipzig

3rd UFZ Innovation Forum "Intelligent water cycles for resilient cities" on 05.11.2025 at KUBUS Leipzig: Immerse yourself in innovative approaches for sponge cities - from water quality assurance and technical solutions for water cycles to urban planning and social aspects. With expert presentations, discussions, marketplace of ideas & space for networking. Register now free of charge!

Sponge cities are being established in many places to make urban areas more resilient to extreme weather events caused by climate change, such as heavy rainfall, heat waves and long dry spells.

At the heart of this are usually innovative blue-green infrastructures - such as green roofs and facilities for the retention and/or infiltration of surface water. They serve to collect rainwater, create natural water cycles in the neighborhoods and thus counteract the consequences of extreme weather events.

In addition, these structures also have a previously untapped potential for purifying urban water from pollutants. The water flowing off buildings, streets and other urban areas contains particulate and freely dissolved pollutants that can accumulate in the sewers. The release of these pollutants into the water cycle and groundwater must be prevented and blue-green structures can provide suitable solutions for this.

Domestic greywater - which accounts for around 70 percent of all domestic wastewater - can also be used as a resource for watering urban green spaces and improving microclimate management in urban areas. As greywater is only slightly contaminated and is also produced regardless of the weather, it is a valuable source of water. Treated directly at its source, it can contribute to strengthening local water cycles at neighborhood level.

Discuss with us:

• How can water quality be safeguarded in the sponge cities of the future?
• What are the risks posed by known or new chemicals?
• What technological advances are there in the field of water treatment and use?
• How can these structures be integrated into existing planning processes and approval procedures?
• How will these structures be received by the population?
• And how can potential conflicts be dealt with constructively when establishing such structures?

We will be addressing these and other key questions relating to the future topic of climate adaptation in cities at the Innovation Forum 2025 at the UFZ in November. Come to Leipzig, find out more and get actively involved in the discussion.

You can look forward to:

• Presentations by external experts
• Insights into the steering network "Water-sensitive urban development Leipzig"
• Presentations by the Helmholtz Solution Lab UrbanLE with a focus on blue-green-red infrastructures
• Breakout sessions, a marketplace of opportunities and space for exchange and networking

The Innovation Forum at the UFZ is an established platform for exchange and networking - for everyone involved in the sustainable transformation of the economy and society.

Register now