Nature-Based Solutions Hackathon at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid : Innovating for River Ecosystems
Publié le 26 novembre 2025
Last week, Jasha Oosterbaan and Hanna Vanesa Soto Vargas from Mines Paris – PSL participated in a three-day Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) Hackathon at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). This transdisciplinary event was organized in the framework of the EELISA European University Alliance, fostering international collaboration and innovative approaches to environmental challenges.
The hackathon focused on a real-world environmental issue: mitigating the impacts of sediment runoff from two kaolin mining sites—one active, one restored—on the upper course of the Tagus River, a region of high ecological value.
The objective was clear: design innovative NbS prototypes that integrate hydrology, ecology, natural hazard assessment, and environmental restoration to improve river health and biodiversity.
Over the course of the intensive hackathon, participating students engaged in:
Fieldwork in Alto Tajo to observe geological and hydrological processes firsthand;
Analysis of sediment disturbance and its consequences on aquatic biodiversity;
Co-design of NbS prototypes in international teams, combining multiple disciplines and perspectives;
Collaboration with researchers, faculty, and experts in a challenge-based learning environment.
This hands-on experience exemplified the fusion of science, creativity, and applied problem-solving, providing a tangible bridge between academic knowledge and real-world environmental issues.
For Jasha Oosterbaan and Hanna Vanesa Soto Vargas, the hackathon offered an opportunity to:
Teach and apply systems thinking, teamwork, and risk analysis;
Share expertise on complex environmental challenges with a diverse, international cohort;
Contribute to solutions with measurable environmental and societal impact.
The experience highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, demonstrating how Nature-Based Solutions can offer sustainable approaches to river restoration and ecosystem management.
This first edition of the hackathon lays the groundwork for a recurring transnational program, strengthening ties between partner institutions and providing a replicable model for experiential learning in environmental science and engineering.
The Nature-Based Solutions Hackathon at UPM illustrates how innovation, field research, and international collaboration can come together to address pressing ecological challenges. Mines Paris – PSL is proud to contribute to initiatives that advance knowledge, foster sustainable solutions, and support the health of river ecosystems across Europe.