Bauhaus of the Seas Sails

The Bauhaus of the Seas Sails project, funded by the European Union (Horizon Europe, GA 101079995), addressed environmental challenges by mobilizing port cities close to water. Running from 2022 to 2025, the project collaborated with seven cities (Venice, Hamburg, Lisbon, Oeiras, Malmö, Genova, and Rotterdam), a border park (Grenspark Groot Saeftinghe), universities, and cultural organizations to test new solutions for reviving the relationship between coastal communities and water. The overall aim was to achieve a sustainable and inclusive transition through cultural interventions that kept aesthetics at the center and produced meaningful benefits for local communities. Our partners in each city implemented innovative activities called “drops” to adapt waterfront neighbourhoods to sea level rise (Future Tidal Architectures), raise citizens’ awareness of water and marine life (Ocean Literacy), and share cooking skills and recipes that benefit both people and nature (Regenerative Menu), to list but a few of our initiatives.

A team in TU Delft led the Impact Assessment of the project and participated in the Delta pilot, which tested the Future Tidal Architectures drop in the Dutch-Flemish Delta region with partners EGTS Linieland van Waas en Hulst, Het Nieuwe Instituut, and Vereniging Deltametropool. On Impact Assessment, TU Delft researchers have developed an online platform and a series of seven analytical reports about the impact of the project in each city. The full series is available below. The impact results are the products of a qualitative impact assessment methodology that was created for the project. We used context analysis, participatory methods, values deliberation, Theory of Change mapping, site visits and a Library of Indicators to assess and compare the different pilot projects. The impact reports highlight what made the project successful and which elements are key to applying these solutions elsewhere. This work contributes to our broader efforts to rethink how we evaluate local innovation to support place-based learning and long-term impact.

IMPACT FRAMEWORK AND COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT

Final report on the Impact of the Bauhaus of the Sea Sails project

This report presents the impact assessment methodology and results of the Bauhaus of the Seas Sails project in seven pilot sites: Venice, Genova, Lisbon, Oeiras, Hamburg, Malmö and the Dutch-Flemish Delta. Our research team developed an analytical impact framework that translates the New European Bauhaus ambitions — fostering aesthetic, sustainable and inclusive transformation — into locally aligned, qualitative tools and indicators. Through a Library of Indicators designed for the project, we produced a structured impact analysis of each pilot and a cross-pilot comparative analysis. We find that the tested solutions were most impactful when artistic, participatory and ecological dimensions were meaningfully integrated into co-design processes. The impact of local interventions differed according to historical, social and institutional conditions but also pilot teams’ ways of working: openness to learning, strong relational practices and long-term commitment consistently led to stronger impact pathways. The adoption of the Zoöp regenerative governance model proved most effective in pilots that deliberately created space for diverse voices, including other-than-human perspectives. This assessment closes by identifying opportunities and lessons for continued learning, reflection and action beyond the project duration.

impact-of-the-bauhaus-of-the-sea-sails-project-report.pdf (14.35 MB)

Bauhaus of the Seas Sails Platform

IMPACT REPORTS FOR EACH PILOT CITY

The Impact of Regenerative Menus and Ocean Literacy in Hamburg

Food can be a powerful medium to shift mindsets and build skills for more just, regenerative futures. Our new report explores the impact of the European project Bauhaus of the Seas Sails in Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city. Designers, chefs, farmers, artists, and researchers formed new collaborations and tested two “drop” solutions: Regenerative Menus and Ocean Literacy. We examine how the project addressed local needs, created multiple benefits, and expanded its impact over time. Through qualitative analysis, we highlight what made the project successful and which elements are key to applying these solutions elsewhere. This work contributes to our broader efforts to rethink how we evaluate local innovation to support place-based learning and long-term impact.

bauhaus-of-the-seas-sails-hamburg-report_0.pdf (14.73 MB)

Regenerative Menus — Cover photo by Jonas Fischer, 2024

GenoaReportimage — Human Portrait of Dino Gesino, inhabitant of Sturla-Vernazzola (Former owner of historic restaurant La Conchiglia), 24th November 2024. (Source: Davide Busetto, 2024.) CC BY NC-ND 4.0

The Impact of Inclusive Digital Storytelling in Genoa

If you wrote a letter to the sea, what would you say? In Genoa, where port, urban expansion and traditional fishing villages meet, the municipality partnered with digital scientists and artists to test the Inclusive Digital Storytelling “drop” solution. Inhabitants and local associations joined a participatory process and shared seaside stories that inspired the creation of an immersive exhibition and an app. We examine how the project created value for communities and expanded its impact over time. Through qualitative analysis, we highlight what made the project successful and which elements are key to applying these solutions elsewhere. This work contributes to our broader efforts to rethink how we evaluate local innovation to support place-based learning and long-term impact.

bauhaus-of-the-seas-sails-genoa-report.pdf (14.5 MB)

The Impact of Blue Seniors, Regenerative Menus and Future Tidal Architectures in Venice

Elderly inhabitants recall a different Venice when the lagoon shaped daily life. This culture of the tide can guide sustainable transitions in food and urban planning while enhancing seniors’ participation and wellbeing. This idea inspired Venetian universities, the municipality and the port authority to test three “drop” solutions with local associations and students: Blue Seniors, Regenerative Menus and Future Tidal Architectures. We examine how the project built and expanded its impact over time. Through qualitative analysis, we highlight what made the project successful and which elements are key to applying these solutions elsewhere. This work contributes to our broader efforts to rethink how we evaluate local innovation to support place-based learning and long-term impact.

bauhaus-of-the-seas-sails-venice-report_0.pdf (16.04 MB)

VeniceReportimage — Venetian Lagoon, 14th January 2006. (Source: Comune di Venezia, 2006.) CC BY-NC ND 4.0.

Ship, 31st May 2021. (Source: Grenspark Groot Saeftinghe, Sven Dullaert, 2021.CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.)

The Impact of Future Tidal Architectures, Living with Water and Zoöp in the Flemish Dutch Delta

New learning and governance models can build collective knowledge on ecology and water cultures, providing a compass towards sustainable futures. Our new report explores the impact of the European project Bauhaus of the Seas Sails in the Dutch Flemish Delta, a region shaped by water, agriculture and port industrial complexes. Designers, researchers, students, citizens, local authorities and cultural institutions formed new collaborations and tested three “drop” solutions: Future Tidal Architectures, Living with Water, and Zoöp. We examine how the project built and expanded its impact over time. Through qualitative analysis, we highlight what made the project successful and which elements are key to applying these solutions elsewhere. This work contributes to our broader efforts to rethink how we evaluate local innovation to support place-based learning and long-term impact.

bauhaus-of-the-seas-sails-delta-report.pdf (21.69 MB)

The Impact of Ocean Literacy in Oeiras

Artists and scientists can collaborate to create sensorial ocean literacy experiences for citizens, fostering ecological awareness and reframing museums as spaces to interact with the local environment. Our new report explores the impact of the European project Bauhaus of the Seas Sails in Oeiras, a densely populated Portuguese city located on the Atlantic coast, at the mouth of the Tagus River. The project tested one “drop” solution, Ocean Literacy, through the deployment of two Art and Science Residencies and an engaging public program for citizens. We examine how the project built and expanded its impact over time. Through qualitative analysis, we highlight what made the project successful and which elements are key to applying these solutions elsewhere. This work contributes to our broader efforts to rethink how we evaluate local innovation to support place-based learning and long-term impact.

bauhaus-of-the-seas-sails-oeiras-report.pdf (23.33 MB)

oeiras image — Bugio Lighthouse, Oeiras. (Source: Beatrice Maggipinto, 2025.)

South Wharf basin painting with water. Land Art i Skåne: Making art in and with nature
(Source: Eileen Laurie, Lucy Cathcart Frödén and Therese Carnemalm, 2025). CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Impact of Ocean Literacy and Nature-based Reef in Malmö

The sea, just like the city, should belong to all of us. Participatory arts and urban regeneration provide opportunities to equalize relationships with both our human and non-human neighbors. Our new report explores the impact of the European project Bauhaus of the Seas Sails in Malmö, Sweden’s youngest and most international city located by the Öresund strait. Artists, researchers, educators, associations and policymakers became Ocean Ambassadors and joined a Sea Forum to bring the sea back into the city. They tested two “drop solutions”: Ocean Literacy and Nature-based Reefs. We examine how the project built and expanded its impact over time. Through qualitative analysis, we highlight what made the project successful and which elements are key to applying these solutions elsewhere. This work contributes to our broader efforts to rethink how we evaluate local innovation to support place-based learning and long-term impact.

bauhaus-of-the-seas-sails-malmo-report.pdf (28.47 MB)

The Impact of Regenerative Menus and Blue Makerspace in Lisbon

Bringing local plants and materials back into our daily food practices and built environment is not just more sustainable. It also reconnects us to our history, culture and territory, highlighting our longstanding relationship with rivers. Our new report explores the impact of the European project Bauhaus of the Seas Sails in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, a dense urban area located right next to one of the largest estuarine wetlands in Europe. In the project, artists, designers, chefs, local associations and policymakers came together to test two “drop solutions”: Regenerative Menus and Blue Makerspace. We examine how the project built and expanded its impact over time. Through qualitative analysis, we highlight what made the project successful and which elements are key to applying these solutions elsewhere. This work contributes to our broader efforts to rethink how we evaluate local innovation to support place-based learning and long-term impact.

bauhaus-of-the-seas-sails-lisbon-report_0.pdf (28.73 MB)