Adaptation to the changing climate: time to intensify effortsLocal authorities are key partnersMr. Luc MartensChairman of the Association of Flemish Cities and MunicipalitiesMayor of the city of Roeselare

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This presentation

• Present action local authorities• Private domain• Public domain

• What is needed to intensify the efforts

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Present action – private domain

• Use of rainwater for garden, toilet, washing machine (extra storage of water and saving of drinking water)• Compulsory for new building

• Green roofs• Possible choice• Antwerp – 1th of January 2011 Compulsory for every new building

• Division of rainwater and sewage• Compulsory for new buildings • Compulsory for existing buildings if a seperate sewer system is

built in the public domain

• Infiltration of rainwater on private domain• Compulsory where possible

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Present action – private domain

• Region (Flanders): • environmental and building rules• communication and sensibilisation

• Local authorities• building rules more in detail• environmental and building permits• communication and sensibilisation

• Every permit/plan has to be tested on its consequences for the watersystem

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Present action - private domain

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sources Igemo and city of Overpelt

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Present action - public domain

• Separate sewer systems• Adapting the code for designing of sewer systems (by

different stakeholders within the CIW (commission for integrated water policy)

• Higher security • Adaptable security & no regret measures• Matching the models for water courses and sewer systems

• Water courses• Restoration• Extra storage of water

• Use the technical conditions in urban design to visualise water

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Present action - public domain

Pas aan bij: Invoegen / Koptekst en Voettekst8 - 22-04-23

Water storage – Roeselare (source: city of Roeselare)

Sustainable district – De Vloei – Ieper – supported by Future Cities(source: WVI)

Water storage – Frilinglei Brasschaat(source: city of Brasschaat)

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Present action - public domain

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Lage Kouter Wevelgem (source WVI)

Restoration brooks(source CIW)

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What is needed to intensify the efforts

• Applied scientific research• Projections for the future• How to cope with uncertainties – ‘no regret’ adaptation• Translation to measures

• Measures in private and public domain • Combination of small and large scale measures• Combination of technical demands and urban design –

integrated planning• Coöperation as partners keeping the river basin in mind:

• Local, regional and national authorities• European Union• Scientific and private sector

• Economic returns of innovation 10 - 22-04-23

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What is needed to intensify the efforts

• Local authorities are key partners in integrated planning • Difference in capacity of local authorities

• Do support, don’t overrule

• Supporting framework• no rigid rules but room for custommade solutions

• Support the exchange of experiences (at all levels: EU, national, regional, subregional, river basin/water course based and local)

• Conferences• Website• Common research en development

• Financial resources• Tailor made support in finding the resources• Regional funds to pre-finance the start of European projects by

local authorities in participation with other stakeholders11 - 22-04-23

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What is needed to intensify efforts

Local authorities must provide custommade solutions and need custommade support

Pas aan bij: Invoegen / Koptekst en Voettekst12 - 22-04-23

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See also CEMR statements

• Resolution on financing local and regional climate actions, CEMR Policy Committee, Oslo, 3 June 2010

http://admin5.geniebuilder.com/udata/ccre/docs/Oslo_resolution_financing_climate_EN.pdf

• CEMR key points on climate change, 2009

http://www.ccre.org/docs/key_points_climate_change_final.pdf

• CEMR response to the Green Paper “Adapting to climate change in Europe, options for EU action”, COM(2007) 354, November 2007

http://www.ccre.org/docs/climate_change_cemr_response.pdf

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They already adapted …

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Source: Metro, 26-10-2010

Thank you for your attention