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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