LUGA Water Forum

The LUGA Water Forum explores innovative water management solutions in urban environments through nature-based systems, landscape design, and public engagement.

The project at a glance

Start date:

07 May 2025
Duration in months:

5
Funding:

LUGA – Luxembourg Urban Garden
Principal Investigator(s):

Silvia VENDITTI

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The LUGA Water Forum is an experimental research and demonstration project located in the Alzette Valley, aiming to revitalise the river through innovative water purification strategies based on nature-based solutions (NBS). As part of the Luxembourg Urban Garden (LUGA) initiative, the project integrates environmental engineering, landscape design, and urban ecology to address current challenges in urban water management. The project combines a nature-based water treatment approach with a broader spatial and public engagement dimension. It highlights the fragility of the Alzette River and the urgency of its restoration, while using water as a visible and active element to stimulate reflection and dialogue on water quality, ecosystems, and community life. At its core, the project develops and evaluates a treatment system based on aquatic plants, natural filtration processes, and complementary disinfection steps. Based on regular monitoring, the system demonstrates effective removal of nutrients, organic matter, and selected microbiological indicators, together with substantial improvements in microbiological water quality, approaching bathing water standards. The installation also makes use of locally sourced materials connected to the Alzette Valley context, including ArcelorMittal steel beams. The beam is filled with expanded clay sand (Liapor) mixed with 15 % biochar activated biologically (Klimafarmer, Germany), an innovative material produced in a circular economy perspective. The benefit of polyculture is emphasized for removing multiple pollutants and to enhance beauty and integration in the landscape. Buffadini PV panels and UV lamps are used for further disinfection before the discharge into the pond. Operating as a full-scale living laboratory, the Water Forum embeds scientific research within an urban landscape and demonstrates the potential of nature-based solutions under real-world conditions. At the same time, the project rethinks underused urban spaces as environments for experimentation, education, and public engagement. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the LUGA Water Forum contributes to advancing the implementation of nature-based solutions and supports the transition towards more sustainable, resilient, and adaptive cities.