Building with Nature

Robbert C. SteijnEcoShape – Building with Nature

Manager Coasts ARCADIS

Project manager OURCOAST

Some Observations• Recent review of Marine Nature Projects• Marine Works Practice:

– Regional planning: Long-lasting procedures – Design: Reactive with focus on minimising effects– Realization: mitigating measures poorly substantiated

World Wide Water Engineering • Large part of world population lives and works in

coastal, delta and river areas• Autonomous developments such as climate change and

sea level rise • Needed: regional development in a way that allow both

economy and nature to flourish in a sustainable way

Something already changed• More integration and participation to smoothen processes• More system-based approach in design• New developments in eco-engineering, because:

– Processes and projects can go faster– Safer and more natural living environment– Room for entrepreneurship

• Applied innovation programme “Building with Nature”

Programme Building with Nature• Budget over 30 MEUR (4 years programme)• Consortium representing broad range of organisations

and disciplines (public and private)• Network for exchange of knowledge and expertise• Jointly developing knowledge and solutions for concrete

pilots (learning from doing)

Ecodynamic Design Principles• Designing and building with and from nature• Focus on ecological chances (dynamic not static)• Based on sound system knowledge• In short: use nature as “dynamic engine”• Ecologists and hydraulic engineers work together, in all

project phases

Ecodynamic Design Principles (cont.)Knowledge break-through - natural system:• From status quo towards dynamics• From descriptive towards predictive• From species towards systems• From false securities towards living with uncertainties

Ecodynamic Design Principles (cont.)Knowledge break-through - technological system:• From engineering thinking towards integral thinking• From mitigating negative effects towards adaptation to

the natural system• From reactive towards pro-active

Ecodynamic Design Principles (cont.)Knowledge break-through - governance system:• From controlling towards managing• From threats towards chances• From closed government domination towards open

multi-actor processes

The CASES

Case 1: Holland CoastCase 1: Holland Coast

Case 1: Holland CoastCase 1: Holland Coast

Mega nourishment“Sand Engine” –

How to utilize natural processes

Mega nourishment“Sand Engine” –

How to utilize natural processes

landscaping ofsand borrow areas

landscaping ofsand borrow areas

sustainable developmentof the Holland coast

sustainable developmentof the Holland coast

Case 2: Southwesterly DeltaCase 2: Southwesterly Delta

Case 2: Southwesterly DeltaCase 2: Southwesterly Delta

eutrofication of lakeseutrofication of lakes sand deficit Eastern Scheldt:stabilisation of intertidal areassand deficit Eastern Scheldt:

stabilisation of intertidal areas

long-term regionaldevelopment

long-term regionaldevelopment

Natural shoreline protection(bio-engineers)

Case 3: Lake Marken / Lake IJsselCase 3: Lake Marken / Lake IJssel

degradationLake Marken degradationLake Marken

adaptation of Frisian coast to rising lake

level

adaptation of Frisian coast to rising lake

level

Case 3: Lake Marken / Lake IJsselCase 3: Lake Marken / Lake IJssel

sustainable regional

development

sustainable regional

development

Case 4: SingaporeCase 4: Singapore

turbidity / water qualityvis à vis habitats

turbidity / water qualityvis à vis habitats

innovativecoastal defence

innovativecoastal defence

decision making in different settings

decision making in different settings

More information :• about Building with Nature Programme:

www.ecoshape.nl

• about ICZM in Europe:

www.ourcoast.eu

Building with Nature is Building our Future

www.ecoshape.nl

Partners Building with Nature

• Initiative: Boskalis and Van Oord• Scientific Institutes: Deltares, Imares, NIOO-CEME • Consultants: ARCADIS, Witteveen+Bos, DHV, Haskoning• Industry: IHC Holland, VBKO• Universities: Delft, Wageningen, Twente• Port authority: Harbour of Rotterdam• Government: RWS-DI, City of Dordrecht, EU (EFRO)• Major financing by Ministry of Public works, Transport and

Water Management (50% of the programme)