and responsibilities.” Bloemen stresses the importance of innovative solutions, such as temporary use of certain areas. “An example is temporary use of space that in a few decades can be used for water storage: this can be done by constructing housing or greenhouses so that they can float or can be removed.” Bloemen wants to start pilot projects for this. “Especially in the areas along the major rivers and in the west of the country we can gain experience by building residential neighbourhoods and business parks that can be removed in thirty years’ time.” Then the area would be reverted to pristine condition so that it can be used for water storage. Think of it as the spatial variant of cradle-to-cradle.” Zevenbergen also sees advantages to flexible use of space. “It probably means that buildings, housing and infrastructure will be written off within a shorter period. At present we commit ourselves in a more permanent way: an area that is built on stays that way. But we should bear in mind that the world and climate may have changed so much thirty years from now that we will need to change the designation of areas or develop them in very different ways. This will require not only technical innovations, but also administrative and legal innovation. It’s still virgin territory, with tremendous possibilities.”
Financial crisis The municipality of Dordrecht wants to in-
Build floating or recyclable houses in an area that will be turned over to water storage in the future – that’s what we call temporary use of space troduce all kinds of ‘water-proof’ living in the new development area. Kelder: “We are seeking a variety of solutions: part of the area will be raised, and a small part may be dug out so that floating houses can be built there. We want to show that there are all sorts of ways of going about water-proof building and design. Part of the area will be used as a showcase.” The first houses are due to be ready in 2013. Despite the current financial crisis, all parties involved are still in favour of going ahead with the plans, says Kelder. She admits that it is an exciting but tense time. “New ways of building cost more money. On the other hand, the financial crisis also offers opportunities: it forces us to make other choices. The time is ripe for thinking
out of the box, and water-proof building is ideally suited to this.” Chris Zevenbergen agrees that now is the time for the building sector to grasp the opportunities presented by the tight financial situation. “Now that the market is no longer so overstretched, climate aspects are becoming important. A building company or a project developer can make its mark by coming up with climate adaptation solutions that can be implemented along with other tasks: clever combinations and stacking functions for example.” Zevenbergen cites the exciting new roof park in Rotterdam. Built to function as a dam, it will also be the largest green roof in the world. The project involves transforming an old railway yard into a 50,000 square-metre business park, with a urban park on top, complete with trees and water features. More information: Ellen Kelder (municipality of Dordrecht Urban Flood Management) +31 786396461 etg.kelder@dordrecht.nl Chris Zevenbergen (DuraVermeer / water-proof building) +31 235692345 c.zevenbergen@DuraVermeerdiensten.nl Pieter Bloemen (National Programme for Spatial Adaptation to Climate Change ARK) +31 703393246 pieter.bloemen@minvrom.nl
From urban to European
The city of Dordrecht has plans to convert thirty hectares of a former harbour and industrial zone into a new upmarket urban area.
The Urban Flood Management project brings together public and private sectors and scientists. Three cities – Dordrecht, London and Hamburg – are working jointly on developing and applying Urban Flood Management. The project has also led to an international follow-up: Managing Adaptive Responses to changing flood risk in the North Sea region (MARE). Governments and universities from four countries are collaborating to devise adaptive strategies to reduce the risk of flooding. The
countries involved are the Netherlands (Dordrecht), England (Sheffield), Germany (Hannover) and Norway (Bergen). The project participants are looking at ways of integrating technical, administrative and operational aspects. Ensuring that the public and other stakeholders are involved receives high priority. The results of the project will contribute to regional and national implementation of the European Floods Directive. www.ufmdordrecht.nl
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