News
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Cycling as export product The Netherlands is the world’s leading cycling country. As a company with Dutch roots, Witteveen+Bos is involved in cycling projects throughout the world. Bicycles fulfil an important role in various infrastructure projects to which Witteveen+Bos contributes. Nearly all of our road designers and structural engineers are active cyclists themselves and use a bicycle for their daily commute. This helps them to design the best possible solutions for cyclists and share knowledge with countries that are discovering the potential of cycling.
In recent years we have shared our experience with countries that are often rediscovering the potential role of cycling in the transport system. Cycling not only helps to prevent road congestion, reduce air pollution and prevent social and urban degradation, but also encourages an active lifestyle. In addition to preparing road designs, we offer cycling-inclusive planning services, organise design courses, and provide technical assistance to local designers and governments. Read more on the next page.
Combating air pollution
Training on prevention of dioxin/furan emissions The environmental and health risks posed by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) - substances that are highly toxic, persistent and subject to transboundary movement - remain high in the Philippines. The POPs originate from various sources across the country. A consortium consisting of Witteveen+Bos, Tauw and Woodfields Consultants is building capacity to reduce emissions of dioxins and furans using Best Available Technologies (BAT) and Best Environmental Practises (BEP). The Philippines has requested the World Bank to give priority to three critical areas that require immediate action: reduction of dioxin and furan emissions, PCB management, and cleaning up contaminated sites. These focus areas are complementary to other planned and ongoing activities. The causes of the risks in the Philippines include open dump sites, industrial emissions, contaminated sites and open burning. Emissions occur as a result of the burning of material, especially when there are chlorine or fluorine components present. In addition
to controlled burning (as part of industrial processes or for heating purposes), the Philippines is faced with large-scale biomass burning for agricultural purposes The project started with a review of the available information on the current situation in the Philippines and internationally agreed BAT/BEP reduction measures. A customised training course was then designed for Philippine stakeholders from the industrial and agricultural sectors. In early 2015, a number of three-day courses were organised in three different regions of the country (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao), thus allowing a total of 171 invitees to gain more knowledge on the subject. In the final project stages, materials were prepared that can be used to train other stakeholders in the future. The knowledge acquired will help all stakeholders to reduce pollution levels in the Philippines. This is Witteveen+Bos’ second POP management project in the Philippines. The main challenge consisted of creating a training programme for a wide variety of stakeholders. The programme included a number of Philippine case studies. + andre.van.kuijk@witteveenbos.com
TWO PROJECTS WIN CONCRETE AWARD 2015
Study into completion of Antwerp’s ring road
Since June 2015, Witteveen+Bos and Grontmij have been conducting additional studies for planned works on the left bank of the Scheldt river in Antwerp, Belgium. The studies are part of the Oosterweel Link project and were commissioned by Beheersmaatschappij Antwerpen Mobiel (BAM NV). The two companies had previously been contracted to carry out a study for works on the right bank of the river. The combination of both assignments means that the two engineering firms are now responsible for the entire study for the completion of Antwerp’s ring road (R1 motorway). The study for the Scheldt Tunnel and the works on the left bank of the river comprises three subprojects. The first subproject concerns the realisation of the infrastructure works on the left bank, including the integration of the northern and southern hub into the connection between the E34 and E17 motorways. The second subproject covers the design of a new immersed Scheldt Tunnel. The tunnel will be approx. 1.8 kilometres long with three lanes in both directions and a separate tunnel tube for cyclists. The third subproject concerns the design of a temporary dry dock at Zeebrugge where the individual tunnel elements will be prefabricated. After their completion in Zee-
brugge, these elements will be towed to Antwerp and immersed at the construction site. The preliminary designs for the Scheldt Tunnel and (the works on) the left bank are scheduled for completion in 2015. In this collaborative project Witteveen+Bos and Grontmij are combining local knowledge and experience in undertaking complex infrastructure projects with international expertise in the design and construction of immersed tunnels. The project will call on expertise in various disciplines, including road infrastructure design, geo-engineering and geohydrology, immersed tunnels, landscape integration, ecology, tunnel safety, hydraulic engineering works, and traffic and tunnel installations. Zwarts & Jansma Architects is responsible for the design. In 2012 Witteveen+Bos and Grontmij were awarded the study contract for the design of the Oosterweel Link on the right bank of the Scheldt river. The Oosterweel Link is a key element in the City of Antwerp’s ‘Master Plan 2020’ for Antwerp’s ring road. This plan calls for additional road infrastructure, various public transport projects, additional cycle paths, and water-related infrastructure works. The Oosterweel Link is one of Europe’s largest infrastructure projects. + joop.van.de.velde@witteveenbos.com
Sustainable buildings Chagala group Kazakh service chain striving for sustainability Witteveen+Bos is elaborating an energy strategy for the Kazakhstan-based Chagala Group, including recommendations for the sustainability certification of buildings. The Group’s complex in Atyrau, Kazakhstan covers approx. 6 hectares and includes offices, hotels, restaurants and apartments. The company facilitates some 400,000 overnight stays per year, runs four restaurants, and rents out
17,000 m2 of office space. In this way Chagala Group supports the oil and gas industry, serving as a ‘one stop shop’ for the Kazakh and international private sector. In the past few years the company has invested in modern buildings, gradually replacing Soviet-era concrete with Italian natural stone and compliance with Western quality standards. Chagala Group has the ambition to become the most sustainable service chain in Kazakhstan. Witteveen+Bos is advising the company on the best way to achieve this goal. The focus is on energy savings, using renewable energy sources (in accordance with the Trias Energetica principle) and reducing water consumption. By cleverly combining construction expertise with insights into energy and water consumption, Witteveen+Bos has been able to develop a sustainability strategy that allows Chagala Group to save costs in the long run while raising its profile as a sustainable business. In view of the energy and water savings that Chagala Group wishes to achieve, the company also plans to attain sustainability certification for its buildings. By comprehensively assessing the buildings’ sustainability performance, BREEAM or LEED sustainability certificates can be obtained, for instance. Chagala Group wants to serve as a role model for other international businesses by being the first company in Atyrau to obtain such certificates. To help Chagala Group realise these ambitions, Witteveen+Bos has drawn up a phased plan consisting of a site visit to analyse the buildings, followed by baseline measurements of energy and water consumption and sustainability performance. A sustainability strategy will then be prepared, that includes several development scenarios and estimates of the required investments and pay-back time. + maarten.schaffner@witteveenbos.com
Witteveen+Bos News December 2015
Picture: Zwarts & Jansma Architects
Oosterweel Link
Half November in Rotterdam, the Verlengde Waalbrug project near Nijmegen won the Concrete Award 2015 in the ‘Bridges & Viaducts’ category. The Concrete Award in the ‘Execution’ category was won by the Willem van Oranje Tunnel/railway station project in Delft. The Verlengde Waalbrug is a bridge that was taken into service in June 2015 to enable motorists to cross the new secondary channel of the Waal River near Lent. Witteveen+Bos was commissioned to carry out the engineering for the Verlengde Waalbrug project. The engineering and construction process was complicated by the slender design and unusual structure of the bridge. The Willem van Oranje Tunnel and the new railway station in Delft were taken into service in February 2015. This was a milestone in a large-scale, multi-year project. Witteveen+Bos and Railinfra Solutions contributed in various ways, including performance of a social cost/benefit analysis and preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and a safety design. We also contributed urban development, civil engineering and geo-engineering expertise. + communications@witteveenbos.com
DEFORMATION OF QUAY WALL IN ST. PETERSBURG During the construction of a new quay wall for a container terminal in St. Petersburg, the building contractor noticed a number of structural deformations. In collaboration with our Russian partner TPI, a study was performed to discover the cause of these unforeseen deformations. TPI first conducted specific field surveys to determine the soil conditions and analyse the deformations. Witteveen+Bos Russia then used the collected survey data to develop PLAXIS finite-element calculation models to assess the present and future strength and safety of the quay wall structure. The study findings provided the Russian Federal Port Authority (Rosmorport) with a solid foundation to develop technical solutions that will strengthen and stabilise the quay structure. + arnoud.joling@witteveenbos.com
BACKWATER ANALYSIS FOR SINGAPORE CANAL The Singapore Police Force is planning to install security cages at the outlet of the Pandan Loop canal. It is unclear what impact the installation of the proposed cages will have on the water profile in the canal. To assess the impact, Witteveen+Bos is performing a backwater analysis study which includes a field investigation. Analytical calculations and one-dimensional hydraulic simulations will be carried out to assess the impact of the cages on the water level in the canal. If required, Witteveen+Bos will propose changes to the cage design. + jair.smits@witteveenbos.com
Cycling as export product Dutch expertise in striving for a more sustainable and healthy world Continued from front page.
Witteveen+Bos services include road engineering, intersection design, signal design, bicycle parking facilities, and bicycle-friendly fly-overs and underpasses. We usually start by analysing the local bicycle culture and the cycling potential of the relevant city or region. This is the foundation of a successful cycling policy and allows us to design a bicycle route that meets the existing demand. Witteveen+Bos recently established an office in the United Kingdom, headed by a UK cycling expert and enthusiast. The newly appointed head of office will contribute additional experience in cycling awareness-raising campaigns and related activities. The new UK office is currently in the start-up phase, and has submitted its first proposals. Within the Witteveen+Bos group, the UK office will focus on the theme of ‘resilient cities’ in the local as well as international market.
Our Singapore office was established in 2014 and offers cycling expertise to the Asian market. Witteveen+Bos recently organised a guided bicycle tour through the streets of Rotterdam for Singaporean traffic and transport experts. In 2015 one of our Dutch experts participated in the ‘Bicycles Versus Cars’ seminar organised by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities. Throughout the world, a shift towards cycling is clearly visible. Witteveen+Bos has gained decades of experience in the Dutch cycling market, and our staff personally experience the benefits of cycling almost every day. From our offices in the Netherlands, UK and Singapore, we are ready to provide assistance for cycling projects anywhere in the world. + martijn.akkerman@witteveenbos.com
MASTERCLASS IN RIGA
CONCEPT FOR OSLO WINS PRIZE
CYCLING PRIZE AMSTERDAM 2040
In September 2015 Witteveen+Bos held a two-day workshop on cycling-inclusive planning and design in the Latvian capital of Riga. The event was organised in collaboration with the Dutch Embassy in Riga, the Riga City Council, and the Latvian cyclists’ union. The first day focused on theory and introduced the basic principles of designing safe and comfortable bicycle infrastructure, including intersection design and bicycle-friendly signals programming. The second day addressed matters of practical implementation. The participants went on a cycling tour to review the existing bicycle infrastructure, and later worked on two designs for the integration of cycling infrastructure in intersections.
The Norwegian FutureBuilt programme has issued a call for ideas aimed at promoting bicycle use in Oslo. FutureBuilt is a ten-year programme (2010-2020) with a vision of developing carbon neutral urban areas and high-quality architecture. Witteveen+Bos won a prize with a ‘Cycling for All’ concept, which was developed together with OKRA Landscape Architects with assistance from Grindaker Landscape Architects. The concept comprises a number of easy-to-implement measures that will make Oslo more bicycle-friendly. They include reorganising traffic flows to create space for cyclists rather than just ‘adding’ cyclists to the already busy streets of Oslo. As a follow-up we participated in a number of workshops to elaborate the concept. A pilot project has also been set up.
Witteveen+Bos has won a competition with a unique idea for a floating ‘bicycle roundabout’ near Amsterdam’s extremely busy central railway station. The solution is very straightforward, creating different routes for cyclists and pedestrians which will contribute to improved road safety and comfort for all road users. The roundabout connects to themed bicycle routes along hotspots in the greater Amsterdam area. The plan was conceived by a group of young Witteveen+Bos engineers.
PLANNING STUDY IN SINGAPORE Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has issued a tender for a planning study for proposed pedestrian and bicycle crossings along the Kallang Park Connector. A team comprising Witteveen+Bos, Surbana Jurong and other partners is one of the five teams shortlisted by the URA. In late December the teams will present their proposed solutions for seven pedestrian and cycle crossings along the Kallang River.
BICYCLE HIGHWAY IN NIJMEGEN The city region of Arnhem-Nijmegen in the Netherlands has formulated ambitious plans for linking towns and cities by means of ‘bicycle highways’ that provide safe, direct and fast bicycle routes. Along these routes, cyclists are given priority over other forms of transport. Witteveen+Bos was asked to conduct a study and produce a design for the last stretch of the NijmegenBeuningen section, through Goffert Park and near the campus of Radboud University in Nijmegen. The challenge was not only to create space, but to secure public and political support for the proposed route. Our assignment included a presentation to Nijmegen’s city council during a special meeting.
Witteveen+Bos News December 2015
New port concept for Jakarta Witteveen+Bos hosts brainstorm week
Three artificial islands are planned in the Bay of Jakarta to accommodate the rapid industrial and logistical development of the region. The islands will also serve Indonesia’s main port of Tanjung Priok. During his visit to the Port of Rotterdam, Jakarta’s governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama requested technical assistance from the Netherlands, as the Dutch water and port sector is renowned for its expertise in projects of this type. The government of the Netherlands transferred this request to the so-called ‘Water Top Sector’. Witteveen+Bos and RoyalHaskoningDHV subsequently initiated a week-long brainstorming session on the development of the islands. The result is the new Jakarta Port Concept. The development of the islands requires specific technical and financial expertise. During ‘Pressure Cooker Week’, Dutch engineering firms, financial consultants, dredging companies, banks and spatial design consultants worked closely with key Indonesian stakeholders. These stakeholders included the port operators, major land owners, investors and large port-related companies. The result of the Pressure Cooker Week was
the Jakarta Port Concept: a redesign of the three artificial islands, fully synchronised with port developments and with good connections to the hinterland. This concept will create synergy and mutual benefits, following the model established by the Port of Rotterdam. A business case and development strategy were also outlined. The Jakarta Port Concept was welcomed by governor Ahok and the stakeholders. Follow-up meetings are currently being held to elaborate the concept and to ensure swift implementation. Witteveen+Bos and RoyalHaskoningDHV are providing technical and strategic support during these meetings. The Port of Rotterdam is also involved and shares its experience. The Jakarta Port Concept is potentially a major project for the Dutch water sector, and several companies have shown an interest in contributing. + victor.coenen@witteveenbos.com
Improved access oil field Tengiz Transportation route in sea and on road
Witteveen+Bos signed contracts late September 2015 to expand its work in the Prorva region of Kazakhstan’s Caspian shore. Witteveen+Bos was commissioned by Teniz Service LLP to work on the development of a more than 160 kilometres long Cargo transport Route, existing of a 70 kilometres long access channel, a port and adjoining transportation route via a causeway connecting to the existing infrastructure. Following the successful completion of the first phase for earthworks and marine transportation design, the next phase will comprise engineering of the onshore facilities. The newly awarded part of the contract comprises the development of detailed designs for the onshore facilities of the transportation route to accept modules up to 2,000 tonnes. This will provide the basis for putting the work out to tender and starting construction. The onshore facilities comprise the actual transportation route, multiple warehouses, staging areas for heavy transport trailers, administrative buildings, an accommodation camp for 500 workers and a dedicated water treatment plant and domestic water plant. These facilities will be constructed adjacent to the road. The Teniz Service project will connect a new port on the northeast coast of the Caspian Sea to Western Kazakhstan’s oil-rich inland regions. The existing infrastructure is limited, especially for the transportation of bulk goods and large, heavy objects. The development of the port and adjoining transportation route will change this situation. The port will be equipped with various facilities for ship-to-shore transhipment of heavy loads, such as roll-on roll-off berths, a 1200-metre-long quayside and reinforced floor slabs capable of supporting heavy cranes. Witteveen+Bos has been operating in Kazakhstan since the 1990s. Our first Kazakh office was opened in Aktau back in 2001. Nowadays, we have two more offices in Almaty and Atyrau. + egbert.teunissen@witteveenbos.com
Witteveen+Bos News December 2015
Water for 380,000 people in Niger Expansion of Niamey’s water supply system A few years ago Witteveen+Bos successfully applied for assistance to expand the capacity of the water supply system in Niger’s rapidly expanding capital of Niamey. We assist the Dutch government on behalf of the government of Niger. Witteveen+Bos has been involved in the development of the project which seeks to provide 380,000 people with a reliable water supply. The Niamey project involved an extensive feasibility study including water demand projections, cost estimates, an environmental and social impact assessment, and technical surveys. It also included preparation of a design to increase the water supply system’s capacity by 40,000 m3/day, providing an additional 380,000 people with water. The design provides for rehabilitation of an existing intake in the Niger River, a 600 mm diameter pipeline to the new
water treatment plant, a transmission system of approximately 19 kilometres, 3 large water towers, and expansion of the distribution system by over 260 kilometres of pipelines. The Dutch government (ORIO development cooperation programme) agreed to fund 100 % of the development phase and (after feasibility was proven) approximately 50 % of the implementation costs. Co-financiers therefore had to be found to cover the construction costs. After exploration, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) were found willing to co-finance the project. For procurement and financing reasons the project was divided into a number of lots, with ORIO funding the ex-
Development of offshore wind farms
pansion of the treatment plant, and EIB and AFD funding various parts of the expansion of the network. A call for tenders for the treatment plant has been issued. Witteveen+Bos is assisting Niger’s national water company (SPEN) in preparing the prequalification and FIDIC Yellow Book tender documents (in French). We are also providing advice on assessing the bids. The project is a perfect fit for Witteveen+Bos, with its track record in expanding water supply systems in urban and peri-urban areas all over Africa. We are proud to be involved in the improvement of the water supply situation for such a large number of people in Africa. + michel.bretveld@witteveenbos.com
Hollandse Kust Zuid (‘South Holland Coast’) is one of three locations designated by the Dutch government for the development of offshore wind farms. In the coming years, a number of wind farms will be constructed here that will deliver a total wind energy capacity of 3,500 megawatt (MW) by 2023. At the behest of national Transmission System Operator TenneT, Witteveen+Bos will work on this project for the next two years together with Mott MacDonald, Altenburg & Wymenga and IMARES Wageningen UR. To determine the best way to realise the offshore grid, the parties are making preparations for the permit procedure, including drawing up the so-called ‘memorandum on scope and level of detail’, the environmental impact assessment, the so-called ‘appropriate assessment’, and the permit applications. These documents cover such aspects as the cable routes at sea and the routes from the wind farms to a high-voltage substation on land. The scope of the assignment also includes stakeholder management and consulting the competent authorities about the preparation of the environmental impact assessment. In addition, a National Coordination Scheme procedure will be completed for an integration plan adopted by the Minister of Economic Affairs and the Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment. + maarten.kraneveld@witteveenbos.com
Witteveen+Bos News December 2015
Witteveen+Bos partner in project 3D ‘concrete printing’ A study on printing sustainable concrete structures In late October, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) demonstrated its new ‘concrete printer’. The printer will be used in an ambitious study on the possibilities of printing sustainable concrete structures. The study is attracting national and international attention, and will be carried out by two PhD students under the direction of Professor Theo Salet. A group of industrial partners from across the value chain is supporting the study. Witteveen+Bos is the only engineering firm to participate. Three-dimensional printing is becoming increasingly common in the production of many consumables. It is expected that the technique will also play a significant role in the construction industry. TU/e achieved a first in the Netherlands with a large-scale concrete printer that
enables the printing of objects of up to 11 metres long, 5 metres wide, and 4 metres high. Benefits and challenges The new technique will enable construction work to be carried out more quickly and at lower cost. Another benefit is increased formability, enabling a future with unique buildings and components. A concrete printer works 24/7 and saves on formwork. However, more possibilities also result in greater complexity. The material characteristics depend on the printing route and speed selected. The 3D printing technique also results in orthotropic material behaviour. For successful practical application, it is necessary to know in advance what the best way to print a specific structure is.
In September 2015 the Netherlands Embassy in Benin commissioned a consortium led by Witteveen+Bos to prepare a strategic master plan for the development up to 2040 of the port of Cotonou. The port is essential to Benin’s economy and also plays a vital role for neighbouring countries like Niger, Mali and Nigeria. Together with consortium partner Maritime & Transport Business Solutions (MTBS) an assessment will be made of the domestic and regional market, the port’s infrastructure and logistical processes, the traffic situation, the power supply, and the environmental aspects. Subsequently, to accommodate the growth of cargo volumes, plans will be generated for more efficient use of the existing port, including upgrades of specific infrastructure. Furthermore, plans for expansion beyond the present port boundaries will be prepared. The consortium will also prepare the associated investment and financing plan, a port organisation plan and the implementation of short-term measures, and will develop the required institutional framework for the project (public-private partnership). In addition to Port Autonome de Cotonou (beneficiary), the key players include APM Terminals, Bolloré, MSC, Grimaldi and public company Sobemap. All stakeholders recognise the importance and urgency of the master plan. The integrated master plan is aimed at enabling the phased and sustainable development of the port of Cotonou and strengthening its role as a key driver of Benin’s economy. + bert.burgers@witteveenbos.com
Witteveen+Bos News December 2015
Role of Witteveen+Bos The study will also focus on using different types of concrete for a single element, such as ultra-high strength concrete, insulating concrete (phase-change materials), and ‘self-healing’ concrete. All these types of concrete are used for the most appropriate applications and locations. Three-dimensional printing also makes it possible to include sensor materials at any position desired. The technique offers particularly promising possibilities for smart buildings and smart cities. The Witteveen+Bos offices in the Netherlands and Singapore are working together closely to contribute to the development of parametric design models and optimisation strategies. + theo.salet@witteveenbos.com
Master plan Benin port
Volumes to increase from 7 to 20 million tonnes
CREATING A CLIMATE-ADAPTIVE HO CHI MINH CITY Ho Chi Minh City is contending with flooding, soil subsidence, rising sea levels, and salinisation. Together with the Vietnamese government, the Vietnamese Climate Adaptation PartnerShip (VCAPS) has developed a climate adaptation strategy as assigned by Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl). Witteveen+Bos was responsible for the parts of the plan that deal with hydraulic engineering and urban development. The main purpose of the measures is to ensure long-term protection and to guide urban development. The proposed measures include a dike that cuts across the city, and using mangrove forests to protect against wave action and storm tides.
FORMER SHIPYARD IN DORDRECHT Witteveen+Bos is applying the ‘Nature-Based Solutions’ approach to the Stadswerven project in Dordrecht. This former shipyard is located outside the dikes, on a peninsula. The local authority wants to transform Stadswerven into an attractive residential district. As part of this project Witteveen+Bos designed a green park with sufficient room for tidal movements and flood waves. The required level of water safety was achieved by making effective use of the existing slopes and future vegetation. The green areas will protect against flooding and help to reduce heat stress. The project will result in an attractive residential district in the centre of the city that will also serve as a ‘stepping stone’ habitat for various animals and plants.
SUSTAINABLE PROJECT SITE KATWIJK The Valkenburg project site in Katwijk is being developed into an energy-neutral and sustainable district that combines residential, work and recreational functions. Witteveen+Bos performed a life cycle analysis for the water system to gain insight into the economic, technical and ecological consequences of design choices. Based on the outcome, the client opted for a solution in which excess water will run off directly into existing waterways. This obviates the need for any empolderment, with large dikes and pumphouses which would require ongoing maintenance. This solution is is regarded as a model for sustainable area development.
Developing resilient cities Experts agree that approximately 70 % of the world’s population will live in cities by the year 2050. This ongoing urbanisation is leading to various issues in the areas of liveability, safety, health and accessibility. One additional challenge is that many cities are located in delta areas, making them vulnerable to soil subsidence, flooding and climate change. The concept of ‘resilient cities’ is formulated by Witteveen+Bos to address these interrelated challenges. In our view, resilient cities have seven key characteristics (see overview below). We have applied the associated principles to various projects, some examples of which are also described below. Climate-adaptive A climate-adaptive city is prepared for current climate extremes and future climate change. Witteveen+Bos provides advice to make cities water-resilient and heatand drought-resistant. Smart tools like the Climate Adaptation App and UCAM (Urban Climate Assessment & Management) provide support in creating climate-adaptive plans. Disaster-proof A disaster-proof city is well-prepared for natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. Water safety, water-resilient construction and multi-layer safety are key aspects of our approach. Using our ‘Building with Nature’ and ‘Nature-Based Solutions’ concepts, we can enhance ecological values and mitigate the impact of disasters, for instance by creating mangrove forests. Healthy A healthy city enjoys good air quality and low noise nuisance levels, and is not affected by external safety
risks. Designs for public areas feature greenery and water elements that invite people to exercise, play and ride their bicycles. Urban agriculture creates links between built-up and green areas, and can play a role in food production and education. Sustainable In a sustainable city, sustainability is integrated into all aspects of an urban region, from the materials used to the environmental impact. Working on the basis of sustainable design principles, Witteveen+Bos offers advice on aspects such as life cycle costs and impact on CO2 emissions. Socially cohesive A socially cohesive city has a pleasant atmosphere and enjoys a high level of social safety and cohesion. These qualities can be supported and enhanced through urban planning and a well-considered approach to plan development and the construction phase. Proactive participation and stakeholder management are key elements in our project approach. Attractive An attractive city is an appealing place for people to live, work, and spend leisure time. Witteveen+Bos’ designs for buildings and public areas contribute to the visual appeal of cities and the property value of buildings. Energy-neutral A city is energy-neutral when fossil fuel consumption is minimised and energy is generated locally as much as possible. Witteveen+Bos can identify promising measures and quantify their impact in an energy vision document or a business case. + leon.valkenburg@witteveenbos.com
DISASTER-PROOFING BARISAL Barisal is a city of approx. 350,000 residents in southern Bangladesh. Because of its many canals, it is also known as the ‘Venice of the East’. Barisal is prone to flooding due to high river discharges, tidal movements, cyclones and extremely heavy rainfall. The available area of relatively safe, elevated land is decreasing due to climate change and population growth. Witteveen+Bos is advising the authorities on ways to increase water safety in the city by improving drainage, building dikes, elevating roads and making them more resilient, building on artificial mounds, and cultivating flood-resistant crops.
Witteveen+Bos News December 2015
Hybrid heating and cooling Study into generating and storing heat and cold Witteveen+Bos, the Deventer Energy Cooperation and Saxion University of Applied Sciences are investigating the options for realising a joint hybrid heating and cooling system. The system will be located between Witteveen+Bos’ head office on Leeuwenbrug and the Saxion building on Handelskade in Deventer, and will supply heat and cold to buildings in the area.
ART+TECHNOLOGY AWARD The Witteveen+Bos Art+Technology award was presented to Dutch artist Renzo Martens (1973) on 5 November 2015. He is the fourteenth recipient of the award, and was nominated by the jury because his work focuses on the societal, political and economic impact of technology on society. Martens gained international fame for his controversial documentary Episode III: Enjoy Poverty (2009) about how Congo can monetise its poverty. In 2012, he established the Institute for Human Activities (IHA), a research centre dedicated to the question of how creativity can help promote global economic equality. It is located on a former Unilever plantation in the Congolese jungle. Local plantation workers make self-portraits from river clay. These are scanned and then printed in the Netherlands on a 3D printer to create a mould that enables a chocolate maker to cast the image in chocolate. Large cocoa sculptures are then put on display in art capitals like Berlin, London and Amsterdam. Through the sale of small chocolate self-portraits, IHA has successfully created a source of income for the plantation workers. For the first time ever, the plantation workers’ feelings and not just their labour are worth money. During the award ceremony in the Bergkerk Church in Deventer in the Netherlands, Witteveen+Bos announced that it supports IHA in preparing a master plan for the construction of an arts centre on the plantation. On behalf of Witteveen+Bos, Néné Barry travelled to Congo together with Martens in September to take stock of local conditions and to examine the development scenarios that are possible. The master plan has now been drawn up and will provide significant support in acquiring sponsors and partners for the plans in the Congolese jungle. Talking about the Congolese project, Witteveen+Bos Managing Director Karin Sluis said: ‘This year’s Art+Technology Award has turned out to be more like a coming together of artists and engineers, who both want to do something to change the world a little. That makes it very special for us this year.’ + communications@witteveenbos.com
Cofely Energy Solutions, Ennatuurlijk, the City of Deventer and the Overijssel provincial authority are providing support by contributing GIS data and expertise. The study will focus on all the ways in which the urban district can generate and store heat and cold, including the use of heat from surface water and sewerage, heatcold storage in shallow groundwater, and residual heat and cold from local buildings. We are also looking into the possibilities for storing heat and cold in one or more innovative Ecovats® installed below parks and parking lots. And we look into a combined (hybrid) system of high temperature and low temperature systems using only renewable sources including electricity from wind and solar systems.
In addition, Witteveen+Bos is studying ways to make the existing office building on Leeuwenbrug more energy-efficient by installing systems for the generation of sustainable energy, in line with the ‘Trias Energetica’ concept (a three-step strategy for energy-efficient design). The Saxion building is already very energyefficient in many respects. The study will make use of a GIS tool developed by Witteveen+Bos that makes it possible to interactively perform calculations for various scenarios. Soil, groundwater and surface water data and information about the underground and aboveground infrastructure are linked to a database containing information about the investment and operating costs of the various components of a heating and cooling system. In the coming period Witteveen+Bos, Deventer Energy Cooperation and Saxion will further develop the technical and financial model and elaborate the business case for a hundred percent sustainable hybrid heating and cooling system. + raphael.van.der.velde@witteveenbos.com
Lorong Halus landfill Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded contractor HWA Seng Builder Pte Ltd (HSB) a contract for the expansion of the KPE/TPE Interchange, including the link road to Punggol Central in Singapore. The works include the design and construction of a piled roadway at the former Lorong Halus landfill, and the construction of vehicular bridges across Sungei Serangoon and Sungei Blukar. The contractor is also required to dispose off-site or reuse on-site any waste materials that are excavated during the construction works. In addition, the contractor has to build a venting system for the safe collection and discharge of the landfill gas. Witteveen+Bos South-East Asia (SEA) has been engaged to design a land capping for the new intersection of the two highways at Lorong Halus, as well as to assess the proposed gas venting system and suggest improved designs if needed. Witteveen+Bos SEA will also elaborate an environmental management plan and a health & safety plan which will be incorporated by HSB in order to work safely at the landfill site. + jair.smits@witteveenbos.com
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The Witteveen+Bos News is published twice per year. Volume 11, December 2015