Rethinking Water in the Climate Crisis | Ankara

The event addressed the relationship between climate change, urbanization and the water cycle, highlighting the importance of rethinking conventional approaches to urban water management. As cities face increasing water scarcity, prolonged droughts and more intense rainfall events, conventional drainage systems alone are insufficient to address emerging climate challenges. The webinar focused on an alternative approach: keeping rainwater within urban landscapes, allowing it to infiltrate the soil, replenish local water resources and support healthier urban ecosystems. Drawing on experiences and practical examples from Slovakia, the session explored how small-scale Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), including rain gardens, permeable surfaces and urban green spaces, can contribute to more climate-resilient cities. These approaches can help reduce surface runoff, support biodiversity, improve urban microclimates and strengthen the natural water cycle. The discussion was particularly relevant to Ankara, where recent heavy rainfall and flooding have highlighted the city's vulnerability to extreme weather events, while drought and water scarcity remain significant challenges.

The webinar provided an opportunity to consider how lessons from Slovakia could inform locally adapted solutions in Ankara, emphasizing the importance of restoring natural water processes within the urban environment.

How can cities better respond to both drought and extreme rainfall? Could retaining rainwater where it falls, rather than draining it away as quickly as possible, be part of the solution? On 18 September 2026, DKM organized an online webinar titled “Rethinking Water in the Climate Crisis” The webinar featured Michal Kravčík, Senior Water Management Expert and Hydrologist at People and Water, Slovakia.