Learning from Djakarta and its Ciliwung river
The main programme of Aquaterra 2009 is focused on active knowledge exchange related to four themes and eight specific densely populated deltas. One is the delta of the Indonesian Ciliwung river, which has the capital Djakarta in its estuary. René Zijlstra, Head Coasts & Rivers of engineering consultant Royal Haskoning is preparing a ‘delta dialogue’ about this river.
“Djakarta is often struck by floods and the city wants to invest in structural solutions,” he says. “At our invitation, local governments, organisations and specialists will come to Amsterdam to discuss their delta. How are they dealing with urbanisation? What problems do they encounter and which strategies are being used to overcome these problems? These are issues that will be discussed. The interesting fact is that people who are involved in other deltas will also be present and can add their experiences.” Zijlstra realises that different choices apply to different deltas, but he also feels there are strong parallels, such as planning processes, preventive approaches with levees and evacuation preparations.
The second delta dialogue prepared by Royal Haskoning concerns the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Other deltas in the spotlight at Aquaterra are the Yellow River (China), Ganges (India), Mississippi (USA), California Bay (USA), Rhine (Netherlands) and Nile (Egypt).
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