Digital Twin for Cultural Water Heritage Systems (Kastels) with Participatory Governance

We are developing a project concept for the upcoming **Horizon Europe Cluster 2 calls focusing on the digital twin-based preservation and sustainable management of cultural water heritage systems, with a case study on kastel water infrastructures in Türkiye.

Kastels are historic underground and surface water distribution systems that represent a unique form of cultural and hydraulic heritage. Despite their historical and social significance, these systems face risks related to urbanisation, lack of monitoring and declining public awareness.

The proposed project aims to:

• create high-resolution digital twin models of kastel water networks,

• develop data-driven tools for monitoring, documentation and scenario simulation,

• support sustainable water use and long-term conservation strategies, and

• enable participatory governance by involving local communities and stakeholders in decision-making processes.

By combining cultural heritage research, digital technologies and social engagement methods, the project seeks to strengthen the resilience, accessibility and societal relevance of historic water infrastructures.

We are currently looking for partners to jointly prepare a Horizon Europe proposal, including research organisations, public authorities, cultural heritage institutions, civil society organisations and SMEs providing digital modelling, GIS, data platforms or visualization solutions.