The 4 major themes of Novatech 2026
Structures and stormwater management system
- Stormwater management solutions at the source
- Solutions based on nature, triptych water-soil-plant triptych,functioning, efficiency and specific features, diversity
- Integration into the stormwater management system
- Technical innovations, metrology
- Legacy management
- Operation and optimization of centralized and decentralized systems, with regard to current and future water flows and pollution.
Development
and urban planning
- Designing urban planning with water in mind, and designing water systems with urban planning in mind: sobriety, health, living spaces, etc.
- Urban growth, fight against urban heat islands
- Reconstruction and adaptation of public and private developments (industrial, commercial and residential)
- New urban forms, permeable city, etc.
Watershed
& Resource
- Pollution and water quality (stormwater monitoring, road runoff, urban discharges)
- Impacts on rivers, resource conservation, groundwater infiltration and recharge
- Monitoring and modeling
- Turning stormwater into a resource, etc.
Society & Governance
- Local, national and international strategies and regulations
- Cross-sectoral public policies
- Transitions management
- Stormwater financing
- Organizations adaptation, perceptions
- Support and networking for stakeholders
- Knowledge transfer and professionals training
- Barriers and leverages, etc.
Expected abstracts
Scientific and/or technical abstracts
- Presentation of research methods or results linked to operational needs in the social sciences, natural sciences, and/or engineering sciences, using multidisciplinary approaches based on bibliographical analysis, laboratory tests, modeling, or in situ monitoring.
- Innovative technical achievements, monitored and put into perspective.
Feedback
- Feedback on operations that have been running for several years, comparisons between different strategies, scales, or structures
- Presentation of public policies, local planning and animation and mobilisation of inhabitants, strategies of waterwise territories (agglomeration or watershed).
- Reflections on governance and keys for change towards integrated stormwater management.
Answer the call for abstracts by checking the relevant box
Starting projects
A new project? Make it known now!
Stormwater management calls for multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral research and approaches. It is all the more relevant as it incorporates a diversity of perspectives and skills.
We invite project leaders to share their initiative in a poster format, even if they are in the early stages! Novatech conference is the perfect opportunity to discuss your project with experts and scientists from various disciplines, gather feedback and develop your ideas.
Training, pedagogy, teaching
Share your teaching approaches and materials!
Are you actively implementing the interface between science and water management? Are you developing educational or interactive resources or approaches? Come and share your experiences with us!
Researchers, legislators, and professionals are concerned about the difficulties encountered in applying research to the development of public policies, regulations, and practices in the field of stormwater management. This transformation also requires initial and continuing training to change cultures, knowledge, and skills through a multidisciplinary and interprofessional approach.
An opening to non-water specialists
Urban planners, architects, sociologists, landscape architects, developers, project owners, public policy managers, etc.: Novatech 2026 is waiting for your proposals for the Thierry Maytraud Awards!
The Thierry Maytraud Awards recognize outstanding or pioneering initiatives incorporating stormwater management into urban planning, urban policies, or cross-sector mobilization strategies.