From 20 to 22 May 2025, the fourth partner meeting of the MAURICE project took place in Italy. The event was hosted by our project partner, Politecnico di Milano, in close collaboration with Consorzio di Bonifica Est Ticino Villoresi (ETVilloresi) – a key regional stakeholder responsible for managing a vast irrigation network in Lombardy.
The meeting brought together representatives from all partner institutions to discuss the project’s progress, share knowledge from pilot activities, and align on future steps. Throughout the sessions, partners exchanged views on the implementation of the “Sponge City” concept in their regions, discussed strategic planning methodologies for climate adaptation, and reviewed the development of key project outputs, including guidelines for rainwater management and the design of blue-green infrastructure.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the field visit to the pilot action site in the Lombardy region. Participants had the opportunity to observe local water management practices, including:
The fontanili – man-made groundwater springs where metal tubes inserted into small basins facilitate the natural emergence of water to the surface. These features, deeply rooted in local tradition, are used primarily for agricultural irrigation.
The distribution canal system, which plays a vital role in channeling water from the fontanili to surrounding agricultural fields, showcasing a practical example of regional adaptation measures in action.
The visit provided valuable insights into the region’s integrated approach to water management, bridging traditional practices with modern-day challenges related to climate resilience.
The three-day meeting was also an opportunity to reflect on communication efforts, financial and administrative aspects of the project, and to prepare for upcoming milestones and opportunities in MAURICE project.
We thank our hosts for their excellent organisation and all partners for their active contributions. The collaboration and shared experiences during this meeting further strengthen our commitment to developing nature-based, resilient solutions for urban and regional water management across Central Europe.