A window into our latest work, collaborations, publications and perspectives on the future of cities, water and complex systems.
News
Development begins on a novel AI-enabled strategic decision-support platform
Building on the original Water-BOOST framework, DeBlue has begun developing a new AI-enabled decision-support platform combining systems thinking, knowledge graphs and retrieval-augmented AI to help cities and organisations make better strategic decisions.
DeBlue accredited for the UN 2026 Water Conference
DeBlue has been granted official stakeholder accreditation for the United Nations 2026 Water Conference, recognising its growing international contribution to sustainable water management and urban transformation.
DeBlue website officially launched
The launch of deblue.co.uk marks an important milestone in the evolution of DeBlue, presenting its strategic focus on decision-making, systems design and urban transformation to an international audience.
Water-BOOST shortlisted for the IWA Project Innovation Awards
Water-BOOST was shortlisted for the International Water Association (IWA) Project Innovation Awards, recognising its contribution to strengthening water innovation ecosystems through strategic decision-support and stakeholder engagement.
Water Europe recognises Water-BOOST with the Governance Award
Water-BOOST received the Water Europe Governance Award, recognising its innovative contribution to governance and enabling environments for water innovation.
Water-BOOST launched internationally in San Francisco
Water-BOOST was officially presented at the World Economic Forum's Urban Transformation Summit (UTS) in San Francisco, marking the international launch of the Water-BOOST: Enabling Innovation for Future-Ready Cities report. Developed through the André Hoffmann Fellowship between the World Economic Forum and Imperial College London, the report brings together insights from more than 140 stakeholders across six global cities and introduces a systems-based framework to help governments, utilities and innovators strengthen the enabling environments needed to adopt and scale water innovation.
Water-BOOST framework publicly launched
Following extensive international collaboration, the Water-BOOST (Bridging Opportunities and Optimising Support Toolkit) was publicly launched at Imperial College London during a special World Water Day event, bringing together stakeholders from the World Economic Forum, academia, industry and the innovation ecosystem. The framework provides cities and organisations with a practical methodology for assessing and strengthening the enabling environments needed to adopt and scale water innovation.
Designing Blue Consultancy Ltd officially established
Designing Blue Consultancy Ltd was officially incorporated in England and Wales in August 2024, laying the foundations for DeBlue as a strategic design and consulting practice helping cities, infrastructure organisations and governments navigate complexity and deliver sustainable transformation.
Insights
Our perspectives on strategic decision-making, systems thinking, water innovation and the future of cities. Drawing on research, international collaboration and practical experience, we share ideas that help organisations navigate complexity and deliver meaningful change.
March 22, 2026
From Pilots to Real Impact: Why Water Innovation Must Scale
Read LinkedIn article From Pilots to Real Impact: Why Water Innovation Must Become Systemic