Challenge by STATE Studio
How might we re-imagine the future relationship to our local water bodies?
?
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Welcome to this Futures Canvas challenge
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Results
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This challenge is closed. You can see the results on this page.
Learn about this challenge
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More about the challenge topic, goal and organiser

The condition of Berlin’s water bodies is far from optimal and further threatened by multiple human-made impacts and the accelerating climate crisis. This raises concerns and calls for radically new approaches to rethink our future relationship with Berlin’s most vital resource and connected ecosystems among competing political, economical, environmental and social interests. Let’s envision all possible futures, and reimagine our present world together!

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Results of the interactive future survey
View survey results and scenarios
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In the course of the survey, 32 opinions were collected and evaluated. Future scenarios were created from these with the help of AI.
See the collected opinions and the resulting future scenarios.
12 Ratings
Celina Last (Local Expert Group)
The citizens of Berlin have realised how much the condition of the city’s water bodies influences their quality of life.
64% certain
17% disagreement
88% desirable
13% disagreement
25 Ratings
Artist Speculation
Berlin’s river bath finally opens but a bout of stomach infections and skin rashes amongst the visitors leads to large public discussions about Berlin’s waste water problems, finally resulting in actions to improve the situation.
44% certain
26% disagreement
52% desirable
23% disagreement
19 Ratings
Artist Speculation
Droughts lead to a rationing of water in the summer, resulting in people developing new practices of rainwater collection during the heavy thunderstorms that sometimes hit the city.
66% certain
25% disagreement
51% desirable
27% disagreement
39 Ratings
Artist Speculation
In 2040, people know what lies beneath the soil in their local neighbourhoods, including the geological layers, rocks, and water reservoirs that are specific to that area.
27% certain
18% disagreement
59% desirable
18% disagreement
23 Ratings
Artist Speculation
People take care about what to pour down the drain in their domestic space, knowing that part of this might land in the lakes and rivers they spend their leisure time at.
35% certain
15% disagreement
75% desirable
12% disagreement
26 Ratings
Artist Speculation
Tap water is the main drink people consume, its location specific taste and qualities will be appreciated as much as the differences in bought mineral waters are appreciated today.
69% certain
17% disagreement
74% desirable
17% disagreement
23 Ratings
Artist Speculation
With fresh water being scarce globally, products and cultural objects which interact with and / or emphasise the value of water have become more commonplace.
54% certain
23% disagreement
44% desirable
20% disagreement
18 Ratings
Celina Last (Local Expert Group)
Berlin’s microclimate has become much better after improving the condition of the city´s water bodies.
65% certain
16% disagreement
78% desirable
13% disagreement
27 Ratings
Richard Karty (Local Expert Group)
Energy use has skyrocketed as most buildings in Berlin are now air-conditioned due to hotter microclimates and lack of street trees which once provided shade but have succumbed to drought.
65% certain
19% disagreement
25% desirable
19% disagreement
38 Ratings
Richard Karty (Local Expert Group)
Tap water, including for toilets and bathing, is now trucked in from Poland at €10/liter because Berlin has failed to reverse the trend, begun in 2017, of drawing down its water reservoirs without replenishing.
15% certain
14% disagreement
34% desirable
23% disagreement
10 Ratings
Ines Weigand
Since wastewater treatment plants can't handle and filter the mix from microplastic, medical substances, hormones and other "dirt" anymore, it will become more and more common to start recycling at home, using filter systems, recycle stations etc. 
42% certain
15% disagreement
58% desirable
17% disagreement
12 Ratings
Anonymous
There will be built a new, big and efficient infrastructure for collecting and distributing rain water.
44% certain
17% disagreement
71% desirable
17% disagreement
10 Ratings
Anonymous
The whole system of lakes, canals and rivers in and around Berlin is part of the public consciusness.
57% certain
23% disagreement
84% desirable
12% disagreement
12 Ratings
Veronika
It is possible to swim in all water areas in Berlin. 
43% certain
21% disagreement
83% desirable
17% disagreement
7 Ratings
Anonymous
Perhaps well-water has been made publicly available (along with real-time metrics of safety) as a social experiment. It helps people realize how water can be unique to a place.
48% certain
12% disagreement
52% desirable
13% disagreement
36 Ratings
Leo
Water is a private resource.
18% certain
18% disagreement
34% desirable
23% disagreement
8 Ratings
Catri
Solutions will have been found to make water travel much less polluting.
57% certain
9% disagreement
75% desirable
14% disagreement
10 Ratings
Kristina Steinmar
Small, decentralized filtering plants are abundant and allow us to directly use our own  grey water.
42% certain
14% disagreement
59% desirable
22% disagreement
7 Ratings
Anonymous
Proper water treatment, so we pollute less the waters 
54% certain
14% disagreement
61% desirable
18% disagreement
8 Ratings
Mathilde
I wish the spree was filtered and that we could swim in the middle of the city
40% certain
17% disagreement
73% desirable
10% disagreement
43 Ratings
Anonymous
Dirty stinky water in Berlin 
26% certain
15% disagreement
35% desirable
23% disagreement
12 Ratings
Kerstin
Ground water is getting less and less and nobody realizes it early enough. 
74% certain
12% disagreement
24% desirable
18% disagreement
7 Ratings
Anonymous
On a hot summerschool, we can jump into the Kanal to refresh and be surrounded by water.
44% certain
13% disagreement
82% desirable
14% disagreement
7 Ratings
Isabelle Vuong
Berlin is now enjoying hot summers tempered by many refreshing water and green areas, makes use of its waters for eco-mobility (passengers and goods), collects rainwater etc. It has become water city!
45% certain
20% disagreement
59% desirable
12% disagreement
8 Ratings
Anonymous
I wish the rivers and canals are clean enough to swim in. 
61% certain
37% disagreement
57% desirable
21% disagreement
7 Ratings
Markus
Rivers in Berlin have become bodies of water to swim, bath and wash in for everyone without any thought of contamination.
60% certain
22% disagreement
61% desirable
28% disagreement
15 Ratings
Jill
I wish that people of all ages understood the links between climate change, rainfall, groundwater levels and their own consumption habits.
18% certain
13% disagreement
44% desirable
28% disagreement
6 Ratings
Anonymous
It is getting drier.
93% certain
7% disagreement
19% desirable
10% disagreement
7 Ratings
Anonymous
All citizen of berlin assume responsibility and keep their waters and river banks free from trash.
45% certain
8% disagreement
59% desirable
17% disagreement
7 Ratings
Stefan
The importance of infrastructure for water collecting, cleaning and sharing will increase. 
66% certain
14% disagreement
68% desirable
13% disagreement
0 Ratings
Maria Javier
I wish everybody is capable to generate their own sources of drinking water without harming the Planet.
50% certain
0% disagreement
50% desirable
0% disagreement
0 Ratings
Maria Javier
Due to climate crisis, everybody will have their own self hydration accessory to survive.
50% certain
0% disagreement
50% desirable
0% disagreement
certain
uncertain
desirable
undesirable
Positive Expectations
Hopeful Dreams
Distant Threats
Expected Challenges
32 Opinions
489 Ratings
Resulting future scenarios
Based on their ratings, submitted opinions have been compiled into four distinct future scenarios, autonomously generated by artificial intelligence.
Positive Expectations
Expected Challenges
Global Water Scarcity Fuels Climate Crisis
Hopeful Dreams
Berlin Takes Action to Solve Water Crisis
Distant Threats
Berlin Faces Water Crisis: Immediate Action Needed
No summary available yet

Global Water Scarcity Fuels Climate Crisis

View individual opinions in the Futures Canvas by filtering for the sector "Expected Challenges".
  • Global water scarcity has led to an increase in products and cultural objects highlighting water's value.
  • Berlin's energy consumption has risen due to widespread air conditioning use and lack of shade from withered trees.
  • Depletion of groundwater in the region is causing increased aridity, necessitating personal hydration accessories for survival.

As fresh water scarcity becomes a global issue, the presence of products and cultural objects that highlight the value of water has increased. In Berlin, energy consumption has surged as a result of the widespread use of air conditioning in buildings. This is due to the hotter microclimates and the absence of street trees that once provided shade but have now withered due to drought. Unfortunately, the depletion of groundwater is occurring without early awareness from the public. Consequently, the region is becoming increasingly arid. In an ideal scenario, everyone would possess the ability to generate their own sources of drinking water without causing harm to the planet. However, with the climate crisis intensifying, it is likely that individuals will need to rely on personal hydration accessories in order to survive.

Berlin Takes Action to Solve Water Crisis

View individual opinions in the Futures Canvas by filtering for the sector "Hopeful Dreams".
  • In 2040, people will have knowledge about local geological layers, rocks, and water reservoirs.
  • Wastewater treatment plants will struggle to filter microplastics and pollutants, leading to increased home recycling.
  • New infrastructure will collect rainwater, allowing swimming in all water areas and public access to well-water.

Berlin’s river bath has finally opened, but unfortunately, there have been reports of stomach infections and skin rashes among visitors. This has sparked a public discussion about the city's waste water problems, leading to actions being taken to improve the situation.

Looking ahead to 2040, people will have a better understanding of what lies beneath the soil in their local neighborhoods. They will know about the geological layers, rocks, and water reservoirs specific to their area.

People will also be more conscious of what they pour down the drain in their homes. They will understand that some of it could end up in the lakes and rivers where they spend their leisure time.

As wastewater treatment plants struggle to handle and filter out microplastics, medical substances, hormones, and other contaminants, it will become increasingly common for individuals to recycle at home. This will involve using filter systems and recycle stations to ensure proper waste management.

To address water issues, a new, large, and efficient infrastructure will be built for collecting and distributing rainwater. This will help conserve water resources and promote sustainability.

Swimming will be possible in all water areas in Berlin, and there may even be public access to well-water as a social experiment. Real-time safety metrics will be provided to ensure its quality.

Decentralized filtering plants will be abundant, allowing individuals to directly use their own grey water for various purposes.

Berlin will have transformed into a water city, with hot summers being tempered by refreshing water and green areas. The city will also make use of its waters for eco-mobility, both for passengers and goods.

In this future scenario, all citizens of Berlin will take responsibility for keeping their waters and river banks free from trash.

Furthermore, there is a desire for everyone to be capable of generating their own sources of drinking water without harming the planet.

Due to the climate crisis, it is speculated that individuals will have their own self-hydration accessories to survive extreme conditions.

Berlin Faces Water Crisis: Immediate Action Needed

View individual opinions in the Futures Canvas by filtering for the sector "Distant Threats".
  • Berlin is facing a water shortage crisis, relying on costly water transportation from Poland.
  • The supplied water is reported to be dirty and unpleasant-smelling, highlighting the urgency for action.
  • Understanding the interconnectedness between climate change, groundwater levels, and consumption habits is crucial for responsible water usage.

Berlin is currently facing a water shortage crisis as tap water, even for basic needs like toilets and bathing, is being transported from Poland at a high cost. This situation has arisen because Berlin has been depleting its water reservoirs without replenishing them since 2017. It is important to note that water is considered a private resource.

Unfortunately, the water being supplied in Berlin is reported to be dirty and unpleasant-smelling. This highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.

In order to address this issue, it is crucial for people of all ages to understand the interconnectedness between climate change, rainfall, groundwater levels, and their own consumption habits. If this understanding is widespread, it could potentially lead to more responsible water usage and conservation practices.

Furthermore, it would be beneficial if everyone had the ability to generate their own sources of drinking water without causing harm to the environment. This could help alleviate the strain on existing water resources and ensure a more sustainable future.

Looking ahead, the climate crisis may eventually force everyone to have their own self-hydration accessories in order to survive. This hypothetical scenario emphasizes the severity of the situation and the potential need for individual solutions to address water scarcity.

Overall, the current water crisis in Berlin necessitates immediate action and a collective effort to conserve and manage water resources more effectively. By understanding the impact of our consumption habits, exploring alternative water sources, and preparing for potential future challenges, we can work towards a more sustainable and secure water future.

Want to know more about this challenge? Then contact Futures Canvas or the organiser directly.