article-integrated urban flood defences

8/7/2019 Article-Integrated Urban Flood Defences

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Integrated urban flood defenses ofDeventer Riverfront area

Echo Agripa Sembiring

[email protected]

Abstract

Deventer is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. It is located on the edge of River Ijssel, the

Netherlands. It is one of the cities that have claimed the flood plains for the expansion of the cities for the

purpose of trading and shipping. The quay wall was constructed along the river in order to support such

activities. People thus were inclined to reside along the river since it became the core of the activities and

from that time on Deventer suffers regular flooding from River Ijssel. It resulted in a decline of quality of

life and value of the cities, which is the concern of this research. This research carries out the study of

quality of live and city added value by integrating the flood plain, the quay wall and the existence the of

activities in City Center close to the river in sense allocation of function (land-use) regarding waterretention. This research seeks the possible integration of three objects defined as urban flood defenses

which are; the quay wall, flood plain and building regulation. The use of these three elements has

hypothetically a lot to do with the quality of life of people residing in Ijssel Riverfront area and added value

for City of Deventer (see figure 1).

Key Words: Urban Defense, Riverfront Development, Flood, Quality of Life, City Added Value

Deventer Riverfront Area These Days

Study area consists of complex activities as

depicted in image 1 below. Nearby, there is a citycenter located as a trademark of the city of

Deventer as well as several landmarks. Flood has

consistently endangered, not necessarily the

humans life, the attractiveness of city center in

flooding period and caused loss of residents

property value (Stalenberg, 2009).

Along the river, there is quay way lying and flood

plain on Steenkamers side (see image 1). In this

research, flood plain, quay wall and activities

nearby the water course are defined as Urban

Flood Defenses. Currently, people residing along

the river suffer regular flooding which has

significant impact to their life and municipal interest

of Deventer city added value. The use of river is not

so attractive currently.

Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Introduction Deventer,ary 2010


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Challenges toward Quality of Life and City Added Value of Deventer Riverfront Area

The development of this area regarding this studyis limited to policy room for river abided bynational policy and current social acceptance. Inrelation to Quality of Life, the problems aredescribed as follows (consult image 2);

1. Once flooding, Residential activities are

hindered thus most of residents social

and economic activities are also

disturbed.

2. Property value is in threat if Road Welle is

regularly flooded.

On the other hand, this study also regards to the

problems related to city added value described

as follows (see also image 2);

1. Historic sites nearby the river like

some buildings in city centrum and the

quay wall itself is in threat.

2. The distance between city center and

watercourse is close, thus investment on

developing such area has risk due toinevitable flooding period.

Objective and Research Question

This research aims at giving recommendation to

Municipality of Deventer on how Quality of Life of

residents along the River Ijssel can be improved as

well as how added value to the city can be added.

As the hypothesis considers the integration of three

urban flood defenses can help achieve the better

quality of life and city added, this research questions

how the use of Quay Wall, flood plain and allocation

of function can be integrated to improve the quality

of life of residents along the River Ijssel and to add

the value of the city of Deventer.

Research Methodology

1. This study uses two methods which aresurvey and case study.

2. Hypothesis is made, derived from currentcondition

3. Defining City Added Value and Quality of Life(based on riverfront development around the

world)4. Rough ideas of how Quality of Life and City

added value can be improved

5. Deventer Municipality perspective andResidents perspective

6. Final Plan

The existence of watercourse is not explored more. Touristic boat is hardly seen gliding down the river

and neither can the visitors be seen doing leisure activities nor the residents. This condition is caused by

the lack of supporting facilities and design. Most of the visitors are people who work in Deventer and use

the river to transport them from Steenekamers side to Road Welle because N344 is always congested.

Local residents are not interested in visiting the water course since there is no attractive activity and

supporting facilities. On the other hand, Deventer Municipality is looking for more income from holding

tourism sector. The final plan is subjected to these three stakeholders to achieve the objective.

Image 2. Condition of city center of Deventer andFlooded Quay Wall in Winter.(internet, google)


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Measurable Quality of Life and City Added Value in this Study

This study measures several indicators of quality life and city added value for Deventer Riverfront Area.Quality life in riverfront area is related to the water course itself. On the other hand, it is relatively often forthe community to embrace the river. Some practical criteria as mentioned by Sherman, S., A.S.Pietrucutone (2007) as follows; 1. Cyclist is capable of touring the riverfront and its adjoining

neighborhood, 2. Sightseers are able to enjoy boat gliding down the river, 3. Children are accommodatedto ride carousel in the neighborhood, 4. Fishermen can safely try their luck at their favorite fishing spot inDeventer Ijssel and community is accommodated to socialize. On the other hand, city added value ismeasured by; 1. Rising price of land, 2. Rising price of adjacent properly, 3. More investment on DeventerRiverfront area, 4. Rising sales of adjacent flats.

The development of Philadelphia Water front

(Sokoloff and Steinberg, 2005) shows someexpectations at city added value and community

quality of life from public hearing they conducted

during the study of Philadelphia Waterfront

development. In this study, these criteria are

classified in to added value criteria and quality of

life criteria. Later on, they are translated in to

practical ideas and general direction of the

development of study area and reconciled to

municipal visions and policies and residents

preference in sense of integration of quay wall

and flood plain with support of regulation on

allocation of function (see image 3.a)

Sokoloff and Steinberg studied that developmenton riverfront area is relevant to city added value.Best practice in Philadelphia explains somecriteria to elicit values from riverfront potential;

1. Get the connection right. Master theconnection of the riverfront area with citycenter. Furthermore, activity in riverfront musthave linkage to the ones in city center.

2. Vibrant neighborhood and a respite from thecity is a key. How barrier between the river andcity center could be eased.

3. Independence marine, a regional touristattraction that embraces both sides of the river

1. Attractive view of it.

2. Possibility to walk along it on promenade.

3. Attractive activities such as fishing, boating,caf or other entertaining activities.

According to Sokoloff and Steinberg (2005),

keeping the open space and historic value is

proven to be key factors of enhancing urban

quality of life and added value. Another best

practice comes from Singapore. As 20th century

development transformed Singapore into one ofthe largest ports in the world and one of the major

financial centers in Asia, interest in conservation

also grew. In the mid-1980's, projects were

initiated to preserve the city's heritage and culture,

specifically in its built form. Initial proposals for re-

use of the Boat Quay began in conjunction with

efforts to promote the value of conservation (see

also image 3.b). Creating more activities on

riverfront area like Boat Quay Area in Singapore

has brought much investment. Once the area wasdesignated as development area in 1989, every

shop house started developing and generating

economic growth.

(Internet, Flickr.com)

Concepts around the World At the same time, impacts on quality of life are alsoinevitable. It may lead to quality life of people residingalong the study area with merit of giving people moreways to connect to the watercourse. It can be done asfollows;

Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Concepts Deventer,ar 2010

Figure 3. Philadelphia Riverfront Area(google, internet)

Image 3a. Philadelphia riverfront area(Internet, Flickr.com)

Image 3b. Boat Quay riverfront area(Internet, Flickr.com)


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Findings

Based on interviews with local residents, visitors, municipal officials and literature support, the

findings therefore are described as follows;

Survey showed that visitor value additional function along the quay wall especially during summer butresidents living nearby prefer the activities to remain the same. Literature support and analysis show

that linkage between the city center, flood plain and quay wall can be achieved if the quay wall has

additional touristic facilities. The municipality of Deventer finds the functions of living and recreation

very important in the IJsselzone (see Gemeente Deventer 1996). Government also wants to maintain

the traffic road Welle, the current buildings, and the monuments, along the Welle. The current quay

wall must be maintained due to his historic value. Survey conducted along this study shows that

residents are not in favor of changing the land-use. The distraction of their direct view to the river is a

big problem for them. They prefer to have the existing allocation of function. Survey shows that

residents value the flood plain interesting. They used it as recreational ground to enjoy summer and

sight-seeing. Nonetheless, they perceive that the environment get dirty because of all dirt and litters.Visitor values this flood pain as good as residents. And on the other hand, Government is interested

in giving room for the river through the existence of this flood plain with its low density activities.

Quay Wall of Deventer

Currently, the quay wall is used merely for

several limited activities. Residents can hardly

use this quay wall apart from the promenade to

jog once to twice a week. Generally, people in

the city visit this site very often though this quay

wall is easily walk-able from city center. Peoplefrom outside of Deventer come more often to

canoe on the river but this activity can hardly lead

to easy linkage to the city center since the

canoeing center is located around 2 kilometers

from the city center.

Proposed Plan for Deventer Quay Wall

Figure below is describing the particular idea of proposed plan of Deventer Quay Wall.

Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Quay Wall Deventer,ar 2010

Image 4.a. Orientation of city center towards Quay WallSource: Mijnplaats.net

City

Center


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Attractive and Water-Accommodating Flood Plain

Currently, floodplain along Deventer Ijssel is

characterized with its low vegetation which

has no significance toward both touristic and

ecological sector. It has potential to be

developed as touristic area yet

accommodating excessive water. Hotels and

ship docks are located nearby the city center.

Visitor does not explore more about the river

nor the rich environment. In summer, hotels

and cruise are full with visitors. They come

simply to enjoy sun bathing and scenic river

view. (see image 5)

Recommended Integration of Urban Flood Defenses in Deventer Riverfront

The idea of integrating the quay wall, flood plain and the regulation is practically translated to theidea of combining the use of quay wall and flood plain with some additional functions supported byallocation of land-use in terms of allocation of functions. Additional function of quay wall is stillrecommended as it suits a notion to attract more visitors and most of the visitors show their will tohave more stalls selling foods and drinks. The idea of Stalenberg to build an under-ground tunnel onRoad Welle and residential building on top of it does not fulfill social acceptance nor will it suit thecriteria of city added value resulted in Sokoloff and Steinbergs study. Below is a set ofrecommendations proposed by this study;

Image 6. Proposed condition of Flood Plain(Sokoloff and Stein, 2006)

Proposed plan on Ijssel Deventer Flood Plain

The idea is to make this flood plain a new brand with

some other land covers instead of dull grass. Green

flood plain is planned to not only accommodate more

excessive water but also to attract people by having a

community garden with trees on the river edge,

inspired by Sacramentos study (2005). Visitor can, not

only stay on board or at the hostel but also in around

the wide and long community garden along the river

edge. Community gardens are important to people and

places for a number of reasonsboth economic and

non-economic. Community gardening's economic

benefits, which accrue to both residents and to local

government, have significance toward city added value

and quality of life of local residents. (See image 6)

Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Flood plain Deventer,ary 2010

Image 5. Current image of the flood plain

(mijnplaats.net)


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1. Intention of making the harbor livelier is formulated in such a way that more dock will belocated in order to boost the touristic and cruising activity.

2. Flood plain is developed also as community garden which has so many potentials which willbe an attraction of visitor and residents of this riverfront.

3. Promenade, fishing, boating, and cafes are located to make the area livelier to not only the

visitor but also the residents.

4. Activity development are concentrated nearby the city center so these all the activities canbe used as the extension of business and trading activities in the city center.

5. Opening more connection between city center and the river.

(see also the sketch in Image 8)

With this concept, the linkage between the watercourse and the city center is expected to be

developing. Nonetheless, room for river is still there with improvement of community garden in

addition to existing camping site, hotel and green in summer.

Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Function and Recommendationenter, January 2010

Figure 8. Proposed plan for urban flood defenses integration


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What We Can Conclude from the Integration Urban Flood Defenses Integration

Deventer was born along and prospered because of the Ijssel River, and the riverfront can be

the centerpiece of how Deventer achieves more added value and quality of life especially for

those who live along the river. Running from one end of the city to the other, a thriving

riverfront can literally connect all parts of the city into an integrated whole. Integration of urbanflood defenses as planned in the recommendation of this study can help Deventer and region

as a whole grow and prosper the quality of life of the people and city added value.

Integration of those three urban flood defenses is an recommended option

Integrating them as recommended by the proposed plan can incline the quality of life

and city added value as suggested in the measureable Quality of Life and City Added

Value.

Reference

C. Redeker,. B.Stalenberg, 2006. Urban Flood Strategies: Delft.

Kemper, J. 2006. Riverfront Revitalization; From Soap, whiskey, and guns to elegant loft living

in Peoria, Illinois.

Municipality Deventer .1996. Zoning plan IJsselzone city centre; main report and accessories.

Sherman, S., A.S. Pietrucutone. 2007. Friends of Hudson River Releases Study Confirms

Parks Value as Public Investment.New York. FOHRP.org.

Sokoloff., M. Steinberg. 2005. Deliberative City Planning on the Philadelphia Waterfront. Upenn

Press: Pennsylvania

Stalenber, B. 2005. Optimal Design of Multifunctional Flood Defenses in Urban Areas: Case

Study Deventer (NL).

Stalenberg, B. 2005. Optimal design of multifunctional flood defences in urban areas: case

study Deventer (NL). International Symposium on Stochastic Hydraulics 2005. Nijmegen, The

Netherlands, IAHR.

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