Why Cities Should Invest More in Swimmable Spaces
In July 2025, much of Europe is once again under the grip of an intense heatwave. From southern Spain to central Serbia, temperatures are soaring past 40°C. In cities where shade is limited and air conditioning a luxury, the heat feels suffocating. Against this backdrop, the conclusions from the Swimmable Cities Summit held in Rotterdam in June are strikingly relevant: clean, safe water in cities isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity.
At the summit, over 200 urban planners, environmentalists, and public officials from around the world jumped into the city’s Rijnhaven harbor to make a statement: urban swimming should be normal. They argued that investing in swimmable rivers, developed waterfronts, and public pools is a smart, sustainable decision that improves health, supports climate adaptation, boosts local economies, and builds stronger communities.
Cooling Cities, Saving Lives
Urban swimming is not just about fun, it’s about resilience. As summers get hotter, pools, rivers, and lakefronts become life-saving infrastructure. They offer relief to people without access to cooling systems and reduce the risk of heatstroke and dehydration.
Cities like Paris now extend public pool hours during extreme heat days, while Vienna and Zurich encourage river swimming in designated, safe areas. New York reports over 1 million visits to its free public pools every summer, a clear sign that people need accessible places to cool off. In fact, WHO data suggests heat-related deaths in urban areas will triple by 2050 if cities don’t adapt. Providing cool public spaces, especially swimmable ones, is one of the most direct ways to respond.
Health benefits
Swimming is one of the healthiest full-body exercises. It’s gentle on joints, great for cardiovascular health, and improves mental wellbeing. But it’s also a critical life skill. Too many children especially in underserved neighborhoods never learn how to swim. Public pools and safe urban swim zones help bridge that gap by offering low-cost or free lessons. The result? More confident swimmers, fewer drownings, and healthier, happier citizens.
Cleaner Waters, Greener Cities
The road to swimmable cities starts with cleaning urban waterways and that benefits the whole ecosystem. When Copenhagen redesigned its sewage system and cleaned its harbor, not only did harbor baths open, but marine life returned. The same is now happening in Paris, where €1.4 billion invested in water infrastructure will soon allow Parisians to swim in the Seine for the first time in a century. These projects often include green infrastructure, like wetlands and rain gardens, that help manage stormwater and reduce flooding. They make cities more resilient while reconnecting people with nature.
Community and Belonging
Swimmable spaces are great equalizers. Unlike private beach clubs or rooftop pools, they bring people together regardless of income or background. A public pool or riverbank becomes a community hub where kids play, teens hang out, and grandparents exercise.
In Rotterdam, the transformation of an old industrial port into a public swimming area has revived entire neighborhoods. It has created spaces for interaction, inclusion, and pride things every city needs more of.
The Global Trend Is Growing
More than 70 cities have joined the Swimmable Cities Alliance and pledged to make urban swimming a reality by 2030. From Melbourne’s Yarra Pools to Cape Town’s ocean baths and London’s goal to clean the Thames, the idea is spreading:
If the water is safe to swim in, the city is on the right track.
Urban youth, students, and climate activists are especially drawn to this cause. It’s visible, positive, and deeply tied to sustainability. Reclaiming rivers and lakes isn’t just about water, it’s about reclaiming quality of life.
A Cool, Just, and Swimmable Future
As cities continue to face rising temperatures, pollution, and inequality, swimmable spaces offer a beautiful, practical solution. They cool our bodies, clean our rivers, unite our communities, and boost our cities.
And for young people dreaming of more livable urban futures, they send a powerful message:
“Come on in. The water’s clean. And it belongs to all of us.”
As cities like Genoa look to reconnect with their coastlines and reimagine public space, the idea of swimmable urban waters is no longer utopian, it’s tangible. The Mediterranean, once seen only as a postcard backdrop, could become a shared and inclusive public resource for all.
That’s why I’m especially excited about organizing our Summer University in Genoa this July. It’s the perfect setting to bring together young people from all over Europe to explore how sustainability, youth engagement, and access to water can shape the future of our cities.
Because in the cities of tomorrow, water isn’t just something to admire, it’s something to live with, care for, and swim in.