Most European cities are built upon an intricate network of rivers and streams which over the centuries have served as the lifeblood of city’s trade, business and economic activities. While the role of rivers and streams in cities has evolved over time, these natural areas provide inestimable habitats for plant and animal biodiversity. These environments are invaluable for urban dwellers acting as connectors between people, animals and plants, making cities more biodiverse and sustainable.

In modern times, the rapid demographic and economic growth of cities has placed unprecedented pressure on rivers and streams. Increased regulation, control, urban redesign plans such as their total or partial covering[1], as well as extraction of these water resources – compounded by climate change and pollution – are degrading urban aquatic ecosystems, reducing biodiversity, and jeopardising their sustainability for future generations. Scientific research and ensuing media attention is increasing public awareness about the effects of urban air pollution on human health. In contrast, awareness about the effects of degraded and over-exploited urban freshwater systems on human health outcomes remains limited and largely overlooked at local, national and international levels[2].

 

The OneAquaHealth project, a Horizon Europe funded project, leveraging Wise Angle’s expertise in valorising scientific results for societal purposes, is working to close this gap. Using social science methods (i.e., qualitative research methods), Wise Angle’s specialist team supported researchers in five European Cities (Benevento, Coimbra, Ghent, Oslo and Toulouse) deliver focus groups to unearth:

  • The factors influencing citizens’ interactions and experiences with urban blue spaces.
  • The impacts of urban aquatic environments on human health outcomes.

 

Focus group results reinforced the findings from Wise Angle’s review of scientific and institutional literature. Namely, a circular effect exists whereby factors influencing citizen’s interactions and experiences with rivers and streams impacts their physical activity levels, their momentary emotional experiences and willingness to use riverine ecosystems for recreational and social activities. Additionally, our research found that most residents associate risks from freshwater bodies with flooding and mosquitos. This demonstrates the need for locally based awareness campaigns educating the public about the wider risks degraded freshwater environments pose to human health. Furthermore, our comparative urban policy analysis of the five cities suggested that political willingness to restore and renovate urban areas may increase residents’ feelings of pride and engagement levels with these areas. However, most often the primary objectives behind the renewal and redevelopment of urban rivers and streams are tourism driven. The tension and potential negative impact these objectives and tourist activities can have on the needs of freshwater ecosystems was clearly identified by several focus group participants.

Wise Angle’s research for the OneAquaHealth project showed not only how citizens value their local waterways but also where challenges lie. These insights can guide urban planners and EU-funded projects in creating spaces that promote health, sustainability, and social cohesion.

Interested in incorporating social science research into your next project or grant proposal? Our consultancy specialises in delivering high-quality research as well as grant and report writing with a view to generate compelling evidence supporting science-driven policy making

 

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[1] Hidden, and forgotten, networks of rivers and freshwater streams exist in most European cities having been paved over and covered by concrete and asphalt.

[2] See https://www.freshwaterchallenge.org/ for further information.