The potential of the research by design method in balancing water problems: An integrated water and space management program for a part of the Warsaw agglomeration

Abstract

The need for integrated water management is no longer just a declared ideal which is currently being promoted but an increasingly perceptible challenge – even more so along with noticeable climate changes. Therefore, searching for methods to streamline and improve research and implementing solutions for solving water and spatial problems is the need of the moment. This search is essential in those countries that do not quickly and effectively implement adopted national and regional policies and regulations at the local level, and this applies among others to Poland. Our study proposes using the research by design method to identify optimal water and space management scenarios in a problematic area – the Kampinos National Park and its surroundings, located in the Warsaw agglomeration. We describe how we used this method, and first and foremost, its essence. We propose using the research by design method as an advanced planning tool, drawing attention to the advantages but also some inconveniences related to its use. The approach presented in this article and the method adopted can be applied in other places with complex water management problems.