Arup Consortium Advances to Second Phase of European Water and Climate Resilience Programme
DROPS-WISE will develop a digital platform to help authorities monitor, predict and respond to flooding, drought and other water-related risks.
Arup and its consortium partners have advanced to the second phase of PCP WISE, a Horizon Europe research programme focused on improving water management and climate resilience across Europe.
The consortium includes Arup, Acacia Water, FutureWater, Nelen & Schuurmans, Technolution and VITO. Together, the partners will develop DROPS-WISE, a digital platform designed to provide high-resolution monitoring and forecasting for water and climate-related risks.
Digital Platform to Strengthen Water Management
During Phase 2, the consortium will move from research into prototype development. DROPS-WISE will combine Earth Observation data, in-situ measurements and hydrological modelling within a single digital platform.
The system will help authorities monitor changing conditions and predict potential risks. Consequently, users will have better information to prepare for flooding, drought and other water-related challenges.
The platform is designed for both urban and rural environments. It will also support water management across borders and shared river basins.
Tackling Europe’s Growing Climate Risks
Europe is facing increasing pressure from climate-related events. More frequent droughts, wildfires and flooding are creating significant challenges for water authorities and communities.
PCP WISE aims to address these challenges by bringing together public authorities, researchers and technology companies. The programme focuses on developing practical water intelligence that can support faster and more informed decision-making.
DROPS-WISE will provide data-driven insights that can help authorities manage water resources more efficiently. The technology could also strengthen drought management, flood resilience and wider climate adaptation efforts.
Prototype to Be Tested in Real-World Conditions
The consortium will develop and validate the DROPS-WISE prototype through several real-world use cases. These demonstrations will assess how effectively the platform can support authorities facing different water and climate risks.
Ljiljana Zlatanovic, Senior Digital Water Consultant at Arup and project manager for DROPS-WISE, said progressing to Phase 2 represents an important milestone for the consortium.
She highlighted the combination of Earth Observation, hydrological science and digital technology as a way to deliver practical intelligence for water management.
As the project moves into its prototyping stage, the partners will focus on turning these technologies into practical tools for climate adaptation. The initiative could ultimately help European authorities build more resilient and data-driven water management systems.
