Agenda

The International Sponge City Days 2026 will bring together leading experts from around the world on March 19 and 20 at the ZHAW Grüental campus in Wädenswil. The aim of the twoday event is to exchange ideas on sustainable, climate-adapted urban development - with a focus on sponge city principles. Global best-practice examples from Australia, Asia and Europe will meet local implementation experiences in Switzerland. The conference program is aimed at experts from planning, science, politics and administration as well as anyone interested in resilient cities and innovative water strategies.

Thursday:

On the first day, leading experts from Australia, Asia, and Europe will showcase how the sponge city concept is being implemented in diverse urban contexts around the world. Complemented by Swiss perspectives, the sessions will provide inspiring insights into climate-resilient urban development, blue-green infrastructure, and innovative rainwater management design.

Friday:

The second day focuses on scientific foundations and digital tools that support integrated planning and decision-making for resilient urban environments. Presentations by experts from academia and practice highlight methods for risk management, multicoded city design, and nature-based decision-support systems. The day concludes with a synthesis of experiences linking research insights to practical applications.