🌍 OPERANDUM Project Summary: Nature-Based Solutions for Hydro-Meteo Risks
The OPERANDUM project (OPEn-air laboRAtories for Nature baseD solUtions to Manage hydro-meteo risks) addressed the critical need to mitigate the impact of severe hydro-meteorological phenomena (like floods, droughts, and landslides) through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).
🎯 Core Objectives
The project’s primary goal was to reduce hydro-meteorological risks in European territories by co-designing, deploying, and demonstrating innovative green, blue, grey, and hybrid NBS. It aimed to provide science-based evidence for the usability of NBS, establish frameworks for strengthening NBS-based policies, and push for business exploitation and market development.
💡 Main Results and Innovations
1. Open-Air Laboratories (OALs)
- Concept: OPERANDUM established Open-Air Laboratories (OALs), expanding the Living Lab concept to natural and rural areas to test NBS effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
- Implementation: Novel NBS were implemented in seven European countries and three international locations (China and Australia) to address specific risks.
- Specific NBS: Over 20 types of NBS were co-designed and developed against major hazards like river/coastal flooding, droughts, landslides, and coastal erosion. Notable innovations included a patented vegetated dune with sensor-embedded textiles for structural monitoring.
2. GeoIKP Platform
- A major outcome was the OPERANDUM Geospatial Information Knowledge Platform (GeoIKP) (available at www.geoikp.operandum-project.eu). This multi-dimensional, open platform enables stakeholders to improve knowledge on NBS, mitigate climate change, and exploit business opportunities.
3. Scientific Advancement
- Risk Assessment: Conducted unprecedented detailed syntheses of hydro-meteorological forcing of hazards in each OAL using re-analysis (ERA-5) and satellite data.
- Modelling: Achieved crucial advancements in multi-scale impact modelling, fostering original assessments of NBS efficacy that account for non-stationary climate conditions.
🚀 Impact and Legacy
OPERANDUM successfully advanced the state-of-the-art by:
- Policy & Society: Identifying and addressing social and political barriers to NBS uptake, with key findings published in top-ranked journals.
- Global Reach: The project was presented as a UNESCO NBS flagship project at several international events and contributed to the Global Assessment Report for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 via the GeoIKP.
- Knowledge Transfer: Facilitated through public webinars organized by UNESCO and the widespread dissemination of results via the GeoIKP platform.
