On 8 April 2026, Sarajevo hosted the event “Clean Miljacka River and Sustainable Urban Water Management” at Europe House Sarajevo, marking this year’s World Water Day. The event brought together institutional representatives, technical experts, utility operators, and local stakeholders to present the URWAN project and advance dialogue on integrated and sustainable urban water management.
The initiative highlighted URWAN’s role in supporting cities in addressing pressing challenges such as water scarcity, urban flooding, and climate change impacts. The project promotes a systemic approach combining nature-based solutions (NbS), digital monitoring tools, and participatory governance models to enhance urban resilience and water sustainability.
From planning to implementation: key URWAN tools presented
The programme showcased the first operational outputs developed within the URWAN framework, including:
- the results of the Expert Working Group,
- the Memorandum of Cooperation, strengthening multi-level institutional collaboration,
- and the Action Plan, outlining the next implementation phases in Sarajevo.
These tools provide a structured pathway towards measurable improvements in urban water management, including enhanced stormwater retention capacity, improved water quality monitoring, and the progressive integration of NbS in urban planning.
The approaches tested in Sarajevo are designed to be replicable and scalable, contributing to broader European objectives under the EU Green Deal and climate adaptation strategies.
A shared vision for the Miljacka River
During the event, the Mayor of Sarajevo, Samir Avdić, reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Miljacka River as a key natural and cultural asset:
“The current state of our river does not reflect its true value. Through the URWAN project, we are working to combine environmental protection, urban development, and citizen engagement to transform the Miljacka into a resource for livability and resilience.”
He also underlined the city’s commitment to concrete and long-term actions, including:
- strengthening water monitoring systems,
- improving drainage infrastructure,
- and redesigning riverbanks through sustainable and inclusive solutions.
Multi-stakeholder dialogue and participatory approaches
The panel discussion, moderated by Sabina Hadžiahmetović (Institute for Hydraulic Engineering Sarajevo – HEIS), brought together representatives from local government, public utilities, and media. The exchange confirmed the importance of coordinated governance, cross-sector collaboration, and citizen engagement as key enablers for successful implementation.
The active involvement of students from the First Bosnian Gymnasium further highlighted URWAN’s commitment to education, awareness-raising, and co-creation, reinforcing the role of younger generations in shaping sustainable urban futures.
Bentbaša pilot area: a living lab for urban water innovation
The programme concluded with a site visit to the Bentbaša pilot area, which serves as a real-life laboratory for testing URWAN solutions.
Here, integrated interventions are being explored, including:
- riverbank restoration and ecological enhancement,
- flood mitigation and water retention measures,
- and the improvement of public spaces through climate-adaptive design.
The pilot demonstrates how co-design processes with local communities can directly inform practical solutions, ensuring that interventions are both effective and socially accepted.
Towards scalable impact across Europe
The Sarajevo event marked an important step in moving from planning to implementation. By combining technical innovation, institutional cooperation, and citizen participation, URWAN is paving the way for scalable and transferable solutions in urban water management.
Sarajevo is positioning itself as an emerging model for sustainable and resilient water governance, contributing to a wider European transition towards climate-neutral and adaptive cities.
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- URWAN event in Sarajevo: stakeholders, experts, and students working together towards sustainable and resilient urban water management solutions for the Miljacka River.
