Rethinking Water: Ancient Wisdom, Sponge Cities & the Future of Water
What can ancient wisdom teach us about designing the water-resilient cities of tomorrow? Join Julia Watson, internationally recognized designer and author of Lo—TEK: Design by Radical Indigenism, and Robert Strand, Founder and Executive Director of the World Water Film Festival, for an exploration of Indigenous knowledge, nature-based solutions and the power of storytelling to inspire water action. Featuring a segment on Sponge Cities from Brave Blue World, the session examines how cities can work with nature rather than against it to manage water, mitigate flooding and build climate resilience. Through film, Julia's insights and a dynamic conversation, discover how traditional ecological wisdom and modern innovation can come together to rethink urban infrastructure, strengthen communities and shape a more water-resilient future.
Together with the Brave Blue World Foundation and Lo-TEK Institute, the World Water Film Festival has launched ‘Water Stories’, a new global initiative harnessing the power of film and storytelling to educate, inspire and mobilize action for water. By connecting filmmakers, communities, educators, policymakers and investors, Water Stories aims to transform compelling narratives into meaningful conversations, partnerships and real-world impact. The initiative invites organizations and individuals worldwide to collaborate, share stories and help shape a more water-resilient future.
Meet the Speakers:
Julia Watson
Designer, Author & Founder, Lo-TEK Institute
Julia Watson is an Australian-born designer, educator, author, TED speaker, and transformative thought leader whose work advances climate-resilient design through Indigenous knowledge systems. Her approach is rooted in an understanding of how human and natural systems co-evolve and how Traditional Ecological Knowledge can inform contemporary responses to environmental challenges.
Watson is the author of the award-winning Lo-TEK: Design by Radical Indigenism and Lo-TEK Water: A Field Guide for TEKnology. She pioneered the global Lo-TEK movement, reframing nature-based and Indigenous technologies as essential tools for addressing the planetary crisis.
She founded the Lo-TEK Institute and the Lo-TEK Office for Intercultural Urbanism, advancing approaches grounded in reciprocity and intercultural co-design. Watson has taught at Harvard, Columbia, and other universities and has collaborated with organizations including NIKE, LEGO, Gensler, and Buro Happold.
Robert Strand
Founder & Executive Director, World Water Film Festival
Robert Strand is the Founder and Executive Director of the World Water Film Festival (WWFF), a global nonprofit launched at the 2023 United Nations Water Conference. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in creative brand strategy, media and partnerships, Robert harnesses the power of film and storytelling to raise awareness, educate, inspire community impact and advance water action.
Under his leadership, WWFF has expanded internationally, presenting more than 30 events across 10 countries and connecting filmmakers, scientists, policymakers, investors and communities through compelling water stories. WWFF is co-hosting an official Blue Zone side event with the NGO AFR’EAU at the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, exploring how storytelling can foster cooperation, community engagement and investment in water solutions.