Flood protection: From fail save to save fail
“Flood protection is slowly shifting from fail save to save fail,” says engineering company Fugro’s Innovation Manager Peter van der Kolk, who will be one of the leaders of the governance discussion at Aquaterra 2009. This session will feature a debate about management issues related to the protection of low-lying deltas. According to Van der Kolk, it used to be standard practice to commission civil engineers to design and build strong dams, storm surge barriers and dykes.
Real-time data
There is currently an increased focus on the risks of possible floods due to the growing number of natural disasters, the expected rise in sea levels and the larger volumes amount of storm water that need to be drained. “Absolute safety is no longer guaranteed,” Van der Kolk explains. “A responsible safety policy is vouched for instead, preferably based on real-time data."
Dealing with residual risks
"The capriciousness of nature, climate change and the explosive urbanisation in global delta areas are generating new insights regarding risks. The safety of dykes is relative: In practice there will always be residual risks. The goal is to minimise these risks via specific evacuation plans, flood-proof construction, insuring against certain damages and the like.” Van der Kolk says that in the Netherlands this new insight has led to discussions about flood catchment dykes with reinforced inner banks. “Such dykes will not be washed away by the first overtopping wave and minor floods will not create problems.”
Modern regulations
Another element of governance that will be discussed at Aquaterra 2009 is river basin management. "The European Water Framework Directive and Flood Directive are great examples of modern regulations focussed on the whole river basin,” Van der Kolk continues. “What occurs upstream has a major effect on what happens downstream, and vice versa, both in terms of pollution and excessive drainage.” He sees cross-border thinking and actions as a great challenge because there is always tension between centralised control and decentralised implementation (nationally and internationally). Good governance means learning to deal with these issues effectively.
Multifunctional use of space
Aquaterra 2009 will also pay considerable attention to the cooperation between governments, public organisations, knowledge institutes and trade and industry. As a result of this cooperation, safety along rivers and coasts in delta areas can be increased and combined with other projects in the field of urban development, recreation and nature conservation.
For the entire conference programme overview, click here.
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