An Integrated Approach for Water Management Examples from The Netherlands Addressing Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Superstorm Sandy Forum College of Staten Island March 8 2013
Water: a challenge and an opportunity The Netherlands: a challenging and dynamic landscape 17 million people, 3 rd most densely populated country Water management: a learning curve Need to exchange knowledge and experience on how to adapt to climate change and rising sea levels 2
Floodable area Large part of the country is below mean sea level These areas are densely populated (60% of population) 70% of GDP is produced in areas between 3 and 21 feet below mean sea level The blue area shows the floodable land if there would be no flood defenses Amsterdam The Hague Rotterdam Without coastal protection, 2/3 of the country would be under water 3
Water management in the Netherlands The Netherlands is a dynamic delta landscape Country is penetrated by rivers and next to the sea Management strategy has to incorporate multiple effects Steered by a dedicated governance structure and National Water Act: Strong institutions: Delta Commissioner and Rijkswaterstaat Legal obligation to protect against floods Defines protection standards and periodic assessments An integrated approach through multiple lines of defense: Flood protection and accommodation: living with water Integration of sustainable urban design and long-term planning 4
Flood protection by shortening the coastline First line of defense created after the large flood of 1953 Focus: shorten the coastline by creating dikes and barriers Core elements: Coastal dune strengthening Storm barriers Surge protection 5
Key Question for Staten Island: What Works Here? Wetland restoration Closure damsea wall Wildlife Beach nourishment Flood Marshes Linear resistant protection Rising tides Development Mounts Super levee Suburban Shoreline RAY dike Storm surge barrier Economy Piers Sea level rise Levees Harbor Bay Area Closure dam Climate change Salt ponds Wetlands Liquid cities Ecology Transform Airport Smart levees Hidden levees Raising Retrofit Levees Retreat Flood safe Overtopping resistant Riprap revetments 6 Source: Arcadis USA
Flood protection through Building with Nature (1) Focus: use natural forces, work with water instead of against it Example: muddy coast Soft Safe Dike Saltmarsh grows with sea level and maintains stability and safety Flexible, low tech, low maintenance costs 10 Source: Deltares
Wavereducing forest-dike combi fort Steurgat 100m wide Wave reducing willow-tree plantations Low cost low tech Deltares/RWS concept achieves required 1/2000 safety standards now under construction Clay dike will be lower than traditional design
Flood protection through Building with Nature (2) Soft eco-engineering dike: reef, marsh and dune combinations Combination of measures decreases wave inundation Dutch research institute Deltares investigates these measures 12
Flood protection through Building with Nature (3) Sand Motor: solution for coastal sand replenishment Main objectives Longer-term safety inland More recreational options and ecological variation Counter-measure against coastal erosion 2012 2025 2027 2032 13
Coastal protection: multi-barriers Katwijk Integrated waterfront solution Opportunities for multifunctional use Parking garage and water retention area Reinforced dune and dike 14 Source: Curnet / City of Rotterdam
Sustainable urban design and adaptation Incorporate water retention areas in urban landscapes 15
Examples from The Netherlands Rotterdam Multi-functional use of public areas Underground water storage Urban floodplain 16 Source: City of Rotterdam
17 Source: City of Rotterdam
Examples from The Netherlands Rotterdam Assessment of existing critical infrastructure and vulnerability 18
Examples from New Orleans Neutral grounds (1) Dutch Dialogues, Waggonner & Ball Architects, WMS Team (www.livingwithwater.com) 19
Examples from New Orleans Neutral grounds (2) Dutch Dialogues, Waggonner & Ball Architects, WMS Team (www.livingwithwater.com) 20
Examples from New Orleans Soft shoulders Dutch Dialogues, Waggonner & Ball Architects, WMS Team (www.livingwithwater.com) 21
Examples from New Orleans Curbside infiltration Dutch Dialogues, Waggonner & Ball Architects, WMS Team (www.livingwithwater.com) 22
Examples from New Orleans Curbside infiltration Dutch Dialogues, Waggonner & Ball Architects, WMS Team (www.livingwithwater.com) 23
Examples from New Orleans Water retention impact 10.000 acres affected with just 25 acres of increased retention and storage through: Captured runoff Improved flow Increased pump capacity Lowered canal levels Dutch Dialogues, Waggonner & Ball Architects, WMS Team (www.livingwithwater.com) 24
Examples from The Netherlands The Tide Project 25
Examples from The Netherlands The Tide Project Urban development in a water abundant area Living with water, incorporating tidal flows in landscape planning 26
Living with water in Staten Island? 27
Integrated approach to water management Water management is a learning curve: exchange of knowledge and experience is necessary Integrated approach required: not just barriers but also the integration of water retention areas in spatial planning Multiple layers of defense! The Netherlands used to keep the water out; now we are looking for ways to let the water in 28
Thank You! Arjan Braamskamp Economic Officer Consulate General of The Netherlands Arjan.Braamskamp@minbuza.nl Tel +1 (646) 557 2239