#28: Reimagining Bruges' historic waters
with Ilse Vansevenant and Frederik Roelens
#28: Reimagining Bruges' historic waters
with Ilse Vansevenant and Frederik Roelens
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Bruges in Belgium is inseparable from water. Its canals shaped the city, supported its rise as a medieval trading metropolis and continue to define its identity today.
But Bruges’ relationship with water is changing. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm the city, while dry periods leave its soils and trees without enough water. Could part of the answer to these challenges already be hidden beneath the city’s streets?
In this episode, Johannes Riegler meets Ilse Vansevenant and city archaeologist Frederik Roelens from the City of Bruges.
They explore the city’s historic water system, from medieval pipes and wells to modern sensors tracking water in soils and tree roots.
They discuss what archaeology can contribute to climate adaptation, how Bruges is rediscovering infrastructure that has been forgotten for centuries, and why heritage should be seen as a source of new ideas rather than something frozen in time.
In this episode:
- How can a seemingly water-rich city prepare for both drought and flooding?
- What can Bruges’ medieval water infrastructure teach us about climate resilience?
- Could ancient underground water pipes be brought back into use?
- How can sensors help the city understand when trees need water?
- How can archaeology become an opportunity for urban innovation?
- Why are citizen ownership and experimentation essential for living with water?
The episode was produced in the context of Blue4Green, an Innovative Action funded by the European Urban Initiative. More information:
• Previous episode: Reimagining Bruges – Water, green spaces and community