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may 2007

Last week, the Dutch spatial planning institute (RPB, Ruimtelijk Planbureau) has released a report on flood risk management as a spatial planning challenge. Below the main findings are reproduced such as found on the website of the RPB (www.rpb.nl). The report may be downloaded here.

Main findings of the report 'flood risk management as a spatial planning challenge' (2007):

"Here in the Netherlands we apparently have so much faith in our flood defences that most of our economy and population is situated in low-lying areas. If flooding were to occur there, it would cause untold damage. To complicate the situation further, the actual risk of flooding increases due to climatic changes, causing a sea-level rise and an increasing river discharge. These are crucial developments that need to play a stronger role in our spatial planning policy.

Future investments against floods (water safety) should therefore not only focus on stronger barriers and sea walls but also on a more flexible and robust system of spatial planning. Hence, we propose a water planning strategy. Space should be organized in such a way that flood damage in built-up areas would be minimal.

If water were to break through the most prominent dykes (dyke rings), there would be considerable variations in the depth and rate of inundation. The first task in a water planning strategy would therefore be to develop an adequate flood-risk zoning for dyke-enclosed areas. Then, an appropriate mix of spatial and policy measures could be worked out for each zone.

The Dutch government and the provincial and municipal authorities need to concentrate much more on the different flood-risk zones when designating development sites and organising building programmes.

Areas designated for housing should be in the safest zones.

It is better not to build at all in high-risk areas where flooding would be fast and deep or, at any rate, to build only to a limited extent with the necessary modifications. The areas closest to the first line of defence could better be reserved for water retention.

It would be relatively safe to develop in risk zones, where flooding would be slower or shallower, provided there is a good evacuation plan and mitigation strategy.

Water-based housing (live-aboards) is becoming increasingly popular; however, people also want to feel protected. This tension between safety and liveability provides the agenda for the design. A water strategy aimed at risk mitigation can generate added value for spatial planning.

It will take a considerable effort to create a safe living environment based on flood-mitigation in an at-risk area. Policymakers, developers and individuals need to be properly aware of the risks of building and living in such areas"

Recently, the EU Funded research project (FP6) Conscience for sustainable coastal erosion management has launched it's website.

The strategic objective of the Conscience project is to develop and test concepts, guidelines and tools for the sustainable management of erosion along the European coastline, based on best available scientific knowledge and on existing practical experience. 

The first aim of the project is to define a decision-making framework based on the concepts formulated by the EUROSION project, i.c. coastal resilience, coastal sediment cells (see picture), favourable sediment status and strategic sediment reservoirs. The second aim is to develop these concepts into measurable standards, which can be evaluated in practice for any field situation. The third aim is to link these standards to ongoing European initiatives as GEO/GMES, the European Soil Strategy in preparation, The European Maritime Strategy and the Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management. The fourth aim is to produce guidelines and tools to enable an effective implementation in European coastal management.