When disaster strikes, rebuilding must mean more than returning to the way things were. After the devastating floods caused by the DANA storm in southern Valencia, we are launching a new process that puts public participation, climate justice, and community knowledge at the heart of recovery. Placemaking Europe is proud to be one of the co-initiators of this effort, working alongside eldiario.es — Spain’s leading progressive online newspaper — and local actors to support a recovery that is just, inclusive, and forward-looking.
Natural disasters are no longer exceptional. As the climate crisis intensifies, floods, heatwaves, droughts and fires are becoming part of a new normal across Europe. Yet amidst these devastating events lies a chance to rebuild differently — more fairly, more wisely, and more collectively. In the Spanish region of Valencia, the DANA — a meteorological phenomenon bringing torrential rain and flash floods — left widespread destruction in its wake. But for many communities, it also became a wake-up call. Returning to business as usual is no longer an option. What is needed is a fundamental rethink: of how we plan our cities, how we organise our institutions, and how we value the lived knowledge and experiences of citizens.
To respond to this moment, Placemaking Europe has co-launched the initiative Innovació per a la recuperació (Innovation for Recovery) together with eldiario.es, in a partnership that builds upon a growing ecosystem of civic, cultural and scientific initiatives. The process brings together local rootedness and international perspective, aligned with the values that have long guided placemaking efforts across the continent. The initiative was created with a threefold ambition: to hear directly from citizens about their recovery priorities; to support the work of local governments and civil society already engaged in reconstruction; and to learn from other regions and cities that have recovered from climate-related disasters and turned that experience into lasting transformation. In short, it aims to spark a participatory, connected and future-facing approach to rebuilding — one that embraces complexity and centres human needs and the needs of other living beings.
Innovació per a la recuperació unfolds in three phases:
- An open survey was launched to gather citizen input. More than 1.500 citizens have already shared how they experienced the floods and the institutional response, what they see as key priorities, and how they imagine collective recovery. Hundreds of responses have helped paint a more nuanced picture of needs and opportunities.
- Convenes a working group of civic, cultural, scientific and institutional actors. The methodology builds on collaborative mapping and peer exchange, allowing participants to identify ongoing initiatives and unmet needs. On April 30, a working session hosted at the eldiario.es newsroom in Valencia will serve as a key moment to connect efforts, identify overlapping strategies, and shape a shared recovery agenda. Participants will co-create visual maps that link people, projects, and priorities across sectors — laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
- The process will culminate in a public forum on May 7th in Catarroja, one of the towns most affected by the floods. Hosted at Florida Universitària, the event brings together local governments, civic organisations, and international experts to explore recovery through four key lenses: citizen participation, territorial development, water infrastructure, and the local-international connection. Speakers include Diana Morant, Spain’s Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities; Gabriella Gómez-Mont (Laboratorio para la Ciudad); Hans Karssenberg (Placemaking Europe); Johan Verlinde (Rotterdam Climate Adaptation); Vicent Marzà (European Parliament); and Lorena Silvent, mayor of Catarroja. The day will combine keynotes, local experiences, and interactive sessions to build shared strategies for a resilient, place-led recovery.
Innovació per a la recuperació is based on the idea that meaningful recovery is not only a technical challenge — it is a social, cultural and political one. It requires listening deeply, learning across borders, and co-designing solutions that respond to the specific needs and aspirations of each place. In a time of accelerating climate uncertainty, we must build cities and regions that are not just protected, but empowered. That means placing people — their voices, their experiences, their creativity — at the centre of how we rebuild. This is what placemaking is ultimately about. And this is the work we are proud to be part of.
→ To learn more you can read this other piece by Ramon Marrades: What if recovery after a climate disaster comes from people and place?
