Water in all its forms is key to human survival and well-being. Humans have created intricate and ingenious solutions to survive and thrive in difficult and complex territories, and adapt to changes in social and environmental conditions. Remnants of past practices, structures and objects are still with us – in the built environment, in our institutions, in our ways of living and in our languages.  

This talk explores the opportunities and challenges of using the lens of water for the field of architectural and urban history. The presentation also explores the role of new forms of publication. It presents the biannual peer-reviewed open access journal Blue Papers as a platform for exchange on the complex relationship between water, culture and heritage as a transdisciplinary form of publication.