Public participation in design, decision making and realization in sustainable flood protection

11 June 2007

Ir. Henk de HartogManaging DirectorSpace for the River

WaalWeelde

Wealthy Waal River

WaalWeelde

Location

• Rhinedelta

• Waal river

• 165.000 ships/year

• 80 km (50 miles)

• 15 local political authorities

WaalWeelde

Netherlands

Europe

Netherlands

Belgium

Germany

North See

Gelderland

Netherlands

Nijmegen

Arnhem

Tiel

Germany

Room for the river

• 1993, 1995 floods 1 billion damage (evacuation costs and repairements)

• Traditional policy; -higher dikes

• New policy;

Room for the river:– Dike relocation– Removing obstacles– Lowering the floodplain

WaalWeelde

Shallow channels

Relocation dike

river management

Deep sand excavation pits

Higher dikes

Lowering groynes

Room for the river

• Awareness increased:– Europe– Netherlands– Gelderland

• Local problem: NIMBY

WaalWeelde

The new approach: Wealthy Waal project

• Partners:– Province of Gelderland

– Local authorities

– Private enterprises

– Universities

– Public stakeholders

WaalWeelde

Targets

• Room for the river• Improved environmental quality• Increased cooperation between cities• Promotion of regional economic development

• Two characteristics of Wealthy Waal:– Joint planning approach

– Living with water strategy

WaalWeelde

Three spatial clusters (each ± 5 cities)

WaalWeelde

Two examples of private initiatives

Companies,

Civilians,

Politicians,

Civil servants

Functioning of Wealthy Waal WaalWeelde

Enterprises,

Public/NGO,

Politicians,

Officials

Ideas,

Initiatives,

Projects

Discharge,

Evironmental Quality,

Regional Spatial development,

Regional cooperation

Wealthy Waal,

Supports and investigates

Communication (interactive website)WaalWeelde

First result (inspiration map for landscape design)

WaalWeelde

First result (Living with water approach)WaalWeelde

First Result (Economical partners)WaalWeelde

Physical exercise !

“Green” strolling routes

ice skating

Footpath

bicycle path

Marathon routesVia Miles

tags