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Integrated urban flood defenses ofDeventer Riverfront area
Echo Agripa Sembiring
Abstract
Deventer is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. It is located on the edge of River Ijssel, the
Netherlands. It is one of the cities that have claimed the flood plains for the expansion of the cities for the
purpose of trading and shipping. The quay wall was constructed along the river in order to support such
activities. People thus were inclined to reside along the river since it became the core of the activities and
from that time on Deventer suffers regular flooding from River Ijssel. It resulted in a decline of quality of
life and value of the cities, which is the concern of this research. This research carries out the study of
quality of live and city added value by integrating the flood plain, the quay wall and the existence the of
activities in City Center close to the river in sense allocation of function (land-use) regarding waterretention. This research seeks the possible integration of three objects defined as urban flood defenses
which are; the quay wall, flood plain and building regulation. The use of these three elements has
hypothetically a lot to do with the quality of life of people residing in Ijssel Riverfront area and added value
for City of Deventer (see figure 1).
Key Words: Urban Defense, Riverfront Development, Flood, Quality of Life, City Added Value
Deventer Riverfront Area These Days
Study area consists of complex activities as
depicted in image 1 below. Nearby, there is a citycenter located as a trademark of the city of
Deventer as well as several landmarks. Flood has
consistently endangered, not necessarily the
humans life, the attractiveness of city center in
flooding period and caused loss of residents
property value (Stalenberg, 2009).
Along the river, there is quay way lying and flood
plain on Steenkamers side (see image 1). In this
research, flood plain, quay wall and activities
nearby the water course are defined as Urban
Flood Defenses. Currently, people residing along
the river suffer regular flooding which has
significant impact to their life and municipal interest
of Deventer city added value. The use of river is not
so attractive currently.
Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Introduction Deventer,ary 2010
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Challenges toward Quality of Life and City Added Value of Deventer Riverfront Area
The development of this area regarding this studyis limited to policy room for river abided bynational policy and current social acceptance. Inrelation to Quality of Life, the problems aredescribed as follows (consult image 2);
1. Once flooding, Residential activities are
hindered thus most of residents social
and economic activities are also
disturbed.
2. Property value is in threat if Road Welle is
regularly flooded.
On the other hand, this study also regards to the
problems related to city added value described
as follows (see also image 2);
1. Historic sites nearby the river like
some buildings in city centrum and the
quay wall itself is in threat.
2. The distance between city center and
watercourse is close, thus investment on
developing such area has risk due toinevitable flooding period.
Objective and Research Question
This research aims at giving recommendation to
Municipality of Deventer on how Quality of Life of
residents along the River Ijssel can be improved as
well as how added value to the city can be added.
As the hypothesis considers the integration of three
urban flood defenses can help achieve the better
quality of life and city added, this research questions
how the use of Quay Wall, flood plain and allocation
of function can be integrated to improve the quality
of life of residents along the River Ijssel and to add
the value of the city of Deventer.
Research Methodology
1. This study uses two methods which aresurvey and case study.
2. Hypothesis is made, derived from currentcondition
3. Defining City Added Value and Quality of Life(based on riverfront development around the
world)4. Rough ideas of how Quality of Life and City
added value can be improved
5. Deventer Municipality perspective andResidents perspective
6. Final Plan
The existence of watercourse is not explored more. Touristic boat is hardly seen gliding down the river
and neither can the visitors be seen doing leisure activities nor the residents. This condition is caused by
the lack of supporting facilities and design. Most of the visitors are people who work in Deventer and use
the river to transport them from Steenekamers side to Road Welle because N344 is always congested.
Local residents are not interested in visiting the water course since there is no attractive activity and
supporting facilities. On the other hand, Deventer Municipality is looking for more income from holding
tourism sector. The final plan is subjected to these three stakeholders to achieve the objective.
Image 2. Condition of city center of Deventer andFlooded Quay Wall in Winter.(internet, google)
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Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Introduction Deventer,ary 2010
Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Introduction Deventer,ary 2010
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Measurable Quality of Life and City Added Value in this Study
This study measures several indicators of quality life and city added value for Deventer Riverfront Area.Quality life in riverfront area is related to the water course itself. On the other hand, it is relatively often forthe community to embrace the river. Some practical criteria as mentioned by Sherman, S., A.S.Pietrucutone (2007) as follows; 1. Cyclist is capable of touring the riverfront and its adjoining
neighborhood, 2. Sightseers are able to enjoy boat gliding down the river, 3. Children are accommodatedto ride carousel in the neighborhood, 4. Fishermen can safely try their luck at their favorite fishing spot inDeventer Ijssel and community is accommodated to socialize. On the other hand, city added value ismeasured by; 1. Rising price of land, 2. Rising price of adjacent properly, 3. More investment on DeventerRiverfront area, 4. Rising sales of adjacent flats.
The development of Philadelphia Water front
(Sokoloff and Steinberg, 2005) shows someexpectations at city added value and community
quality of life from public hearing they conducted
during the study of Philadelphia Waterfront
development. In this study, these criteria are
classified in to added value criteria and quality of
life criteria. Later on, they are translated in to
practical ideas and general direction of the
development of study area and reconciled to
municipal visions and policies and residents
preference in sense of integration of quay wall
and flood plain with support of regulation on
allocation of function (see image 3.a)
Sokoloff and Steinberg studied that developmenton riverfront area is relevant to city added value.Best practice in Philadelphia explains somecriteria to elicit values from riverfront potential;
1. Get the connection right. Master theconnection of the riverfront area with citycenter. Furthermore, activity in riverfront musthave linkage to the ones in city center.
2. Vibrant neighborhood and a respite from thecity is a key. How barrier between the river andcity center could be eased.
3. Independence marine, a regional touristattraction that embraces both sides of the river
1. Attractive view of it.
2. Possibility to walk along it on promenade.
3. Attractive activities such as fishing, boating,caf or other entertaining activities.
According to Sokoloff and Steinberg (2005),
keeping the open space and historic value is
proven to be key factors of enhancing urban
quality of life and added value. Another best
practice comes from Singapore. As 20th century
development transformed Singapore into one ofthe largest ports in the world and one of the major
financial centers in Asia, interest in conservation
also grew. In the mid-1980's, projects were
initiated to preserve the city's heritage and culture,
specifically in its built form. Initial proposals for re-
use of the Boat Quay began in conjunction with
efforts to promote the value of conservation (see
also image 3.b). Creating more activities on
riverfront area like Boat Quay Area in Singapore
has brought much investment. Once the area wasdesignated as development area in 1989, every
shop house started developing and generating
economic growth.
(Internet, Flickr.com)
Concepts around the World At the same time, impacts on quality of life are alsoinevitable. It may lead to quality life of people residingalong the study area with merit of giving people moreways to connect to the watercourse. It can be done asfollows;
Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Concepts Deventer,ar 2010
Figure 3. Philadelphia Riverfront Area(google, internet)
Image 3a. Philadelphia riverfront area(Internet, Flickr.com)
Image 3b. Boat Quay riverfront area(Internet, Flickr.com)
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Findings
Based on interviews with local residents, visitors, municipal officials and literature support, the
findings therefore are described as follows;
Survey showed that visitor value additional function along the quay wall especially during summer butresidents living nearby prefer the activities to remain the same. Literature support and analysis show
that linkage between the city center, flood plain and quay wall can be achieved if the quay wall has
additional touristic facilities. The municipality of Deventer finds the functions of living and recreation
very important in the IJsselzone (see Gemeente Deventer 1996). Government also wants to maintain
the traffic road Welle, the current buildings, and the monuments, along the Welle. The current quay
wall must be maintained due to his historic value. Survey conducted along this study shows that
residents are not in favor of changing the land-use. The distraction of their direct view to the river is a
big problem for them. They prefer to have the existing allocation of function. Survey shows that
residents value the flood plain interesting. They used it as recreational ground to enjoy summer and
sight-seeing. Nonetheless, they perceive that the environment get dirty because of all dirt and litters.Visitor values this flood pain as good as residents. And on the other hand, Government is interested
in giving room for the river through the existence of this flood plain with its low density activities.
Quay Wall of Deventer
Currently, the quay wall is used merely for
several limited activities. Residents can hardly
use this quay wall apart from the promenade to
jog once to twice a week. Generally, people in
the city visit this site very often though this quay
wall is easily walk-able from city center. Peoplefrom outside of Deventer come more often to
canoe on the river but this activity can hardly lead
to easy linkage to the city center since the
canoeing center is located around 2 kilometers
from the city center.
Proposed Plan for Deventer Quay Wall
Figure below is describing the particular idea of proposed plan of Deventer Quay Wall.
Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Quay Wall Deventer,ar 2010
Image 4.a. Orientation of city center towards Quay WallSource: Mijnplaats.net
City
Center
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Attractive and Water-Accommodating Flood Plain
Currently, floodplain along Deventer Ijssel is
characterized with its low vegetation which
has no significance toward both touristic and
ecological sector. It has potential to be
developed as touristic area yet
accommodating excessive water. Hotels and
ship docks are located nearby the city center.
Visitor does not explore more about the river
nor the rich environment. In summer, hotels
and cruise are full with visitors. They come
simply to enjoy sun bathing and scenic river
view. (see image 5)
Recommended Integration of Urban Flood Defenses in Deventer Riverfront
The idea of integrating the quay wall, flood plain and the regulation is practically translated to theidea of combining the use of quay wall and flood plain with some additional functions supported byallocation of land-use in terms of allocation of functions. Additional function of quay wall is stillrecommended as it suits a notion to attract more visitors and most of the visitors show their will tohave more stalls selling foods and drinks. The idea of Stalenberg to build an under-ground tunnel onRoad Welle and residential building on top of it does not fulfill social acceptance nor will it suit thecriteria of city added value resulted in Sokoloff and Steinbergs study. Below is a set ofrecommendations proposed by this study;
Image 6. Proposed condition of Flood Plain(Sokoloff and Stein, 2006)
Proposed plan on Ijssel Deventer Flood Plain
The idea is to make this flood plain a new brand with
some other land covers instead of dull grass. Green
flood plain is planned to not only accommodate more
excessive water but also to attract people by having a
community garden with trees on the river edge,
inspired by Sacramentos study (2005). Visitor can, not
only stay on board or at the hostel but also in around
the wide and long community garden along the river
edge. Community gardens are important to people and
places for a number of reasonsboth economic and
non-economic. Community gardening's economic
benefits, which accrue to both residents and to local
government, have significance toward city added value
and quality of life of local residents. (See image 6)
Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Flood plain Deventer,ary 2010
Image 5. Current image of the flood plain
(mijnplaats.net)
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1. Intention of making the harbor livelier is formulated in such a way that more dock will belocated in order to boost the touristic and cruising activity.
2. Flood plain is developed also as community garden which has so many potentials which willbe an attraction of visitor and residents of this riverfront.
3. Promenade, fishing, boating, and cafes are located to make the area livelier to not only the
visitor but also the residents.
4. Activity development are concentrated nearby the city center so these all the activities canbe used as the extension of business and trading activities in the city center.
5. Opening more connection between city center and the river.
(see also the sketch in Image 8)
With this concept, the linkage between the watercourse and the city center is expected to be
developing. Nonetheless, room for river is still there with improvement of community garden in
addition to existing camping site, hotel and green in summer.
Adaptable Urban Flood Defense Function and Recommendationenter, January 2010
Figure 8. Proposed plan for urban flood defenses integration
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What We Can Conclude from the Integration Urban Flood Defenses Integration
Deventer was born along and prospered because of the Ijssel River, and the riverfront can be
the centerpiece of how Deventer achieves more added value and quality of life especially for
those who live along the river. Running from one end of the city to the other, a thriving
riverfront can literally connect all parts of the city into an integrated whole. Integration of urbanflood defenses as planned in the recommendation of this study can help Deventer and region
as a whole grow and prosper the quality of life of the people and city added value.
Integration of those three urban flood defenses is an recommended option
Integrating them as recommended by the proposed plan can incline the quality of life
and city added value as suggested in the measureable Quality of Life and City Added
Value.
Reference
C. Redeker,. B.Stalenberg, 2006. Urban Flood Strategies: Delft.
Kemper, J. 2006. Riverfront Revitalization; From Soap, whiskey, and guns to elegant loft living
in Peoria, Illinois.
Municipality Deventer .1996. Zoning plan IJsselzone city centre; main report and accessories.
Sherman, S., A.S. Pietrucutone. 2007. Friends of Hudson River Releases Study Confirms
Parks Value as Public Investment.New York. FOHRP.org.
Sokoloff., M. Steinberg. 2005. Deliberative City Planning on the Philadelphia Waterfront. Upenn
Press: Pennsylvania
Stalenber, B. 2005. Optimal Design of Multifunctional Flood Defenses in Urban Areas: Case
Study Deventer (NL).
Stalenberg, B. 2005. Optimal design of multifunctional flood defences in urban areas: case
study Deventer (NL). International Symposium on Stochastic Hydraulics 2005. Nijmegen, The
Netherlands, IAHR.