NWO announces first call for proposals for global rearch programme on urbanising river deltas

October 26th, 2012 by nwp

Dutch research grant organisation NWO-WOTRO will launch the first call for proposals for Urbanising Deltas of the World (UDW) in November. This new research programme aims to contribute to global water safety, water and food security, and to sustainable economic development in river deltas worldwide.

Its goal is to come to effective and efficient responses to meet the challenges associated with climate change, population growth and increasing economic activities in these regions.

A total budget of approximately 10 million euro is available.

North-South public-private partnerships
This first call for proposals will be aimed at North-South consortia, working in public-private partnerships. These consortia will be invited to submit a proposal for an Integrated Project that will run for four to five years. A budget of approximately 5 million euro is available for the first call.

In December 2012, a launch event will be organised to give interested parties the opportunity to pitch ideas and to develop public-private partnerships.

Unconventional sensoring, new approaches and stronger governance
The three main foci of Urbanising Deltas of the World are:

  • enhancing fundamental knowledge on delta systems by the development of smart observations using new technologies and unconventional sensors in data-scarce environments, and the development of methods, theories and computational techniques to unravel these complex coupled environmental and social system
  • developing new approaches and technologies to implement new knowledge in planning and design, and for decision making under uncertainty in a rapidly changing environment
  • determining socio-economic conditions for sustainable development of deltas with a special emphasis on countries with weaker governmental systems; improving governance systems and strengthening of institutional development in social, economic and spatial planning sectors.

Collaborating partners
Urbanising Deltas of the World is a joint activity of the NWO themes Water and Climate and Connecting Sustainable Cities (VerDus). The programme is also part of the innovation contract of the Dutch top sector Water.

A variety of partners collaborate in UDW, including the NWO divisions of WOTRO, Earth and Life Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, as well as the Technology Foundation STW, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment.

Research on global issues
NWO-WOTRO Science for Global Development is a research-granting organisation focusing on programming, funding and monitoring research on global issues. WOTRO envisions a world in which science continuously inspires development actors and in which scientists, in their turn, are inspired by development challenges.

This news item was originally published on the website of NWO-WOTRO.

More information
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research/WOTRO
Urbanising Deltas of the World
ir. Han van Dijk e-mail: h.vandijk@nwo.nl
+31 70 344 09 45,
www.wotro.nl
www.udw.verdus.nl

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Delta Alliance and Global Water Partnership share new activities on water management in deltas

July 13th, 2012 by nwp

Expert network Delta Alliance and the Global Water Partnership have jointly started a thinking process on water management and governance in deltas. For that purpose an electronic discussion platform has been set up through a LinkedIn Group ‘What makes water management in deltas different?’

Input for workshop at Stockholm water week
The results of this discussion platform will be used and presented in a special session during the GWP Consulting Partners meeting on 26 August 2012 in Stockholm and in a workshop on deltas during the Stockholm Water Week on 29 August 2012. Both events are jointly organised by Delta Alliance and GWP.

The objective of this process will be a GWP – Delta Alliance document on delta policies and best practices towards the end of 2012 and to develop a joint agenda for further cooperation. These documents will feed into the next GWP and Delta Alliance Strategies.

Invitation to participate

Everybody is invited to participate in this e-consultation which will run until the end of August 2012.

Go to de LinkedIn group: What makes water management in deltas different.

This news item was originally published in the website of Delta Alliance.

More information
Delta Alliance
Wim van Driel, wim.vandriel@wur.nl
Wageningen, the Netherlands
www.delta-alliance.org

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Graduate students compare Dutch and Californian deltas

June 3rd, 2012 by nwp

The Rhine-Meuse Delta in the Netherlands is often compared to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, for its hydrodynamic complexity, diverse ecology and economic importance.

Comparative analyses
Now, two Dutch graduate students are visiting the California Delta to conduct an intensive pair of comparative analyses of the two estuaries with the hope that the scientific understanding gained here will further the comprehension of both.

“That’s one of the advantages of these kinds of exchanges,” said Delta Stewardship Council Chair Phil Isenberg, who was instrumental in starting the exchange program after a visit to the Netherlands in 2009. “To get information from a different perspective on what we are doing could be enormously helpful.”

Kick off three month study
Tjalling Vlieg and Toon van den Heuvel, both graduate students in Wageningen University in the Netherlands, appeared before the Council to kick off their three-month study visit of our Delta.

Flood management and environment
Vlieg is doing a comparative analysis on adaptive management for flood management of our estuary, while van den Heuvel is conducting a study of nutrient enrichment in the Delta, particularly the effect of ammonia on the ecosystem.

Both studies will assist in the identification of best available science that is critical in the development and implementation of the Delta Plan.

The Delta Science Program will be hosting the graduate students between April 23 and the third week of July.

Much more in-depth relation
“I think this opportunity of gaining understanding and experiences from around the world on these large systems is just phenomenal,” said Council Lead Scientist Peter Goodwin. “I think we should acknowledge Chair Isenberg for having the vision to start this, which looks like the start of a much more in-depth relationship in the coming years.”

Delta science program
The arrangement was born after an Isenberg visit to the Netherlands in 2009 for the International Conference on Delta and Coastal Development. In March 2010, Isenberg met with the Dutch Consul General in San Francisco and proposed the idea of the Council hosting Dutch graduate students interested in water policy.

The Delta Science Program is coordinating Vlieg and van den Heuvel’s research and stay in California with Peter Wijsman of Arcadis. Wijsman is himself a former visiting Dutch student to the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, and he now represents the International Delta Alliance in California.

To learn more about the Delta Science Program, click - here – .

More about Tjalling Vlieg and Toon van den Heuvel
Tjalling Vlieg
Vlieg holds a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Water Management from Wageningen University, Netherlands. He is currently a graduate student there working on his Master of Science degree in International Land and Water Management. Tjalling has proposed a thesis titled “The implementation of Adaptive Management for flood management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Rhine-Meuse Delta.” He aims to compare adaptive management in concept and practice between the two Deltas. Tjalling will be guided primarily by DSC staff Chris Enright and Lindsay Correa while in California. He intends to interview at least 12 experts from policy, practitioner, science and stakeholder backgrounds.

Toon van den Heuvel
Van den Heuvel holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Wageningen University, Netherlands. He is now a graduate student there working on a Master of Science in Environmental Science. His proposed research is titled ‘Nutrient enrichment of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta: Pelagic organism decline and algal blooms’. He aims to understand the relative importance of the various sources of ammonia to the Delta to the pelagic organism decline and interactions with other stressors. Toon will be guided primarily by DSC staff Sam Harader and Anke Mueller-Solger while in California.

This news item was originally published on the website of the
Delta Stewardship Council
.

More information
Wageningen University
Wageningen, the Netherlands
+31 317 486543
www.mil.wur.nl

Delta Alliance – California Wing
Wim van Driel, wim.vandriel@wur.nl
Wageningen, the Netherlands
+31 317 482308
www.delta-alliance.org

Delta Stewardship Council
Sacramento, California
+1 916 445 5511
www.deltacouncil.ca.gov



Posted in News.

Free visit to Rio+20 for young water professional with innovative idea for river delta areas

March 20th, 2012 by nwp

In preparation for the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012, the Delta Alliance invites young delta professionals around the world to present their solutions to the challenges which river deltas are facing.

The young professional with the best idea will be invited for a presentaton at the 2012 Rio +20 United Nations conference on Sustainable Development from June 20 to 22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

More resilience
Delta Alliance is an international network organization, based in the Netherlands, with the mission of improving the resilience of the world’s deltas. With increasing pressure from population growth, industrialization and a changing climate, it is more important than ever that these valuable and vulnerable locations increase their resilience to changing conditions.

The organization invites all young professionals to join the competition and present the sustainable and integrated Delta solution at Rio+20.

In line with the 2012 Rio+20 theme ‘Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication’, Delta Alliance is looking for innovative and creative solutions to deal with the acute challenges that deltas around the world are facing.


Coastal protection, sea level rise, morphological changes, soil subsidence (Ombrone delta)


Wetlands preservation, fishery, agriculture, rural development (Mekong delta)


Rivers, flood control, shipping, urban developments, industry, waterfronts, recreation (Brisbane river)

Addressing challenges in an integrated manner
Proposed solutions should address two or more of these challenges in an integrated manner, contribute to the reconciliation of social, natural and economic function, and demonstrate the added value of integrated (spatial) planning.

Participation is open for young professionals from all backgrounds up to an age of 35 years. The contribution (poster and a paper) will be assessed by an international, interdisciplinary expert commission.

Visit to UN Rio+20 conference
The winners of the award will be invited to present their solutions in front of an international audience at the 2012 Rio +20 United Nations conference on Sustainable Development from June 20 to 22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Travel and hotel costs will be provided by Delta Alliance.

Winners will also receive tailor-made organisational and financial support to further develop their solution in cooperation with internationally renowned organisations in the Netherlands and the other Delta Alliance Wings.

Deadline for submission: 31st of March 2012.

Winners of the award will be informed on 15 May 2012.

Look for the more details on the website of Delta Alliance.

More information
Delta Alliance
Wim van Driel, programme manager, info@delta-alliance.org
+31 317 482 308
www.delta-alliance.nl

Posted in News.

Aquatech/IWW: wide interest in Second National Delta Conference

November 18th, 2011 by nwp

As part of the Aquatech/International Water Week, the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre hosted the Second National Delta Conference on November 3. More than 1200 national and international water sector representatives gathered to discuss water safety and freshwater supply issues.

Unique approach
“Our approach to the new Delta Plan, which provides solutions for flooding and dry spells both now and in the future, is unique. In addition, our new Delta Plan, the Delta Programme, offers opportunities for the Water Top Sector. The water sector is incredibly important for the innovative strength of the Dutch economy. It is an export product pur sang”, said Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken in his opening speech.

Delta act adopted by parlement
State Secretary Joop Atsma looked back on the results achieved in the past year. He specifically mentioned the adoption of the Delta Act by the House of Representatives and the Administrative Agreement on Water Affairs that the government has reached with the provinces, municipalities, water boards and drinking water companies.

Safeguarding fresh water
The Administrative Agreement secures the funding for the second Flood Protection Programme, which aims to bring our dikes and dunes up to standard. State secretary Atsma: “In addition to water safety, safeguarding our freshwater supply must also remain high on our agenda. The dry spell earlier this year illustrates that we cannot take a sufficient supply of freshwater for granted. Water safety and freshwater security are our themes for the future.”

Large number of attendants
Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken declared the conference a huge success: “The presence of the Prime Minister and the State Secretary, the large number of attendants, their commitment and the enthusiasm displayed in the discussions on the Delta Programme clearly demonstrate that everyone appreciates the urgency of the issues we are working on: protecting our country from flooding and securing our freshwater supply, now and in the future.”


Prime Minister Rutte (centre) and deltacommissioner Wim Kuijken (right) examine a scale model of flooding in the Rhine estuary – Drechtsteden area at the National Delta Conference.

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Delta Commissioner briefs Capitol Hill on 5 Dutch D’s for flood control

September 16th, 2011 by nwp

During his visit to Washington on September 13th and 14th Dutch Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken made several visits on Capitol Hill to tell US authorities about the Dutch delta progrmma. Wim Kuijken is responsible for the draw up, update and implement the Delta Programme on behalf of the cabinet. Including its financial consequences. The Delta Programme was set up to protect the Netherlands against flooding and ensure a sufficient supply of fresh water, now and in the future. Mr Kuijken has been appointed for a term of seven years.

Much in common
“Our US allies are very interested in our innovative approach that uses the 5 Dutch D’s: Delta Act, Delta Programme, Delta Fund, Delta Commissioner and Delta Decisions”, experienced Kuijken.

“I am here to learn a lot about the approaches adopted by the US and Canada in dealing with their freshwater problems, their emergency management and their adaptive approaches; we have many subjects in common. We will be examining all three layers of safety.”

Colaboration with Louisiana
Tuesday evening, 13 September, the Delta Commissioner and Dutch ambassador Renée Jones-Bos attended a reception and dinner hosted by Louisiana state senator Mary Landrieu. Other attendees included four senators, several members of the House of Representatives and delegates of the Obama administration. Those present discussed the collaboration between the Netherlands and the state of Louisiana; the Delta Commissioner explained the Dutch Delta approach.

Debate about climate adaptation
On Wednesday, 14 September the focus was on ‘Capitol Hill’. In the government buildings, the Delta Commissioner presented the Delta Programme to the Resources for the Future think tank, which conducts independent research into sustainable development. At the U.S. Global Change Research Program, an advisory council commissioned by the government of President Barack Obama to conduct national research into adaptation, the Delta Commissioner debated with top scientists on adaptation, the state of know-how in the United States and the issues in the Dutch Delta Programme.

Furthermore, Mr Wim Kuijken gave presentations on the Delta approach in the Netherlands to a delegation of members of Congress from California and at a theme meeting of the Waterways Caucus (a group of delegates who have joined forces around the theme of water). The presentations of the Delta Commissioner show that there is a great deal of interest on the American side in the Dutch multi-disciplinary approach to water safety and projects such as Room for the Rivers.

Talks with Corps top officers
On Thursday morning, the Delta Commissioner visited the headquarters of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an agency comparable to the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat, the executive arm of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. Mr Kuijken was welcomed by the Corps top officers, including major general William T. Grisoli. They presented the plans of the National Committee on Levee Safety and the recommendations this committee has submitted to the federal government regarding a National Levee Safety Plan.

Many similarities were found between their plans and the Dutch Delta Programme. The implementation of the recommendations by this committee still awaits passing by the American Congress. The long-term collaboration with the American counterpart of Rijkswaterstaat will be expanded further.

More information:
Delta commissisioner
The Hague, the Netherlands
www.deltacommissaris.nl

Posted in News.

Dutch Delta Commissioner visits the United States, September 12 – 17

September 13th, 2011 by nwp

Delta Commissioner Kuijken will meet with state and national water management officials including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, members of Congress, think tanks and academics to exchange best practices and discuss the Dutch approach to water management.

Similar water related water challenges The historic flood levels experienced by states along the Mississippi River this spring were a reminder to the Dutch of the flooding in the Netherlands in the 1990’s when 250,000 people were evacuated and large tracts of farmland were flooded. While the United States and the Netherlands face similar water-related challenges such as sea level rise, salt water intrusion and subsidence, both countries also share a history of cooperation on water management issues. Most recently, Dutch water management specialists are working with Louisiana on designing a water management strategy for the state. In New York City, Rotterdam and Brooklyn officials are collaborating on a waterfront exchange project on urban flood protection.

New delta programme
Sixty percent of the Netherlands is at or below sea level and two-thirds of Dutch people live in flood-prone areas. As Delta Commissioner, Wim Kuijken is responsible for overseeing the annual Delta program and budget in the Netherlands to protect the land and its people. The Dutch government will unveil a new Delta program in September to further strengthen its defenses against flooding and protect the Netherlands’ supply of freshwater. By 2014, the Netherlands will face major decisions regarding its delta system including creating new safety standards for levees, improving methods to secure the freshwater supply and looking at ways cities build in the future.

Governemental cooperation at all levels
“The Netherlands and the United States are each other’s best allies in water-related challenges. Be it knowledge exchange, delegation visits or memorandums of agreement, our cooperation extends from the national to state level,” said Delta Commissioner Kuijken. “We share the same challenges and shared challenges require shared solutions.”

Visit to Florida
While in Florida on September 12th and 13th, Delta Commissioner Kuijken will focus on how the coastal state protects itself against sea level rise and salt water intrusion. As the United States is in the midst of hurricane season, the Delta Commissioner is keenly interested in how Florida prepares for and responds to weather emergencies. Delta Commissioner Kuijken will take a tour and meet with officials of the Miami-Dade Department of Emergency Management. He will also meet Melissa Meeker, Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District and LTC Michael K. Kinard of the US Army Corps of Engineers. In Ft.Lauderdale, he will give a presentation at Florida Atlantic University with FAU’s School of Urban and Regional Planning followed by a Q&A discussion about collaborative, long-term sustainability efforts.

Visit to Washington, D.C.
In Washington on September 13th and 14th, the Delta Commissioner will meet with senators from the Gulf Coast states including Senator Mary Landrieu (LA) and the Congressional Waterways Caucus. He will meet with Steve Stockton, Chairman of the National Committee on Levee Safety, the American equivalent to the Dutch Delta Commission. Delta Commissioner Kuijken will join Resources for the Future for a discussion on “Making Room for the Rivers: Learning from the Dutch Approach”. He will also meet with officials from the United States Global Change Research Program.

Visit to New York City
In New York on September 15th and 16th, the Delta Commissioner will discuss how the Netherlands and New York are tackling flooding risks to urban areas. He will meet Amanda Burden, Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning. The Netherlands and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are working on the Brooklyn Waterfront Rotterdam Exchange project to develop the South-West Brooklyn Waterfront using sustainable economic development, strengthened infrastructure and climate adaptation principles. Delta Commissioner Kuijken and members of Waterfront Vision 2020 and Chris Ward, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will take a boat trip along the Brooklyn Waterfront to Governors Island, an island first purchased by the Dutch in 1637.

Delta Commissioner Kuijken will tweet while in the United States. Follow his visit using #DutchDeltaWorks.

This news item was originally published on the website of the:
Dutch Embassy in Washington DC.


Click here: VIDEO – Working on the delta
In this video (in English, 6.15 min, 15 mb) the Delta Programme is explained

Posted in News.

Deltares in expert panel on enhancing Flood Protection in Singapore

July 10th, 2011 by nwp

Singapore, June 30 – Following flooding incidents in Singapore over de past year, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore (MEWR) has appointed an Expert Panel to conduct an in-depth review of flood protection measures that will be implemented in Singapore over the next decade. The Dutch research institute Deltares will take part in this expert panel.

The panel will be headed by Professor Chan Eng Soon, dean of engineering at the National University of Singapore. The experts were selected based on recommendations from industry professionals and academics.

Mapping of flood prone areas
The review will involve an assessment of Singapore’s current drainage infrastructure, topography of flood prone areas, projected weather patterns, current and future building plans, information systems and potential new technological solutions.

The review is expected to be completed in six months.

Delta areas, coastal zone and river basins
Deltares is a leading, independent, Dutch-based research institute and specialist consultancy for matters relating to water, soil and the subsurface. It supplies advanced expertise to help people live safely and sustainably in delta areas, coastal zones and river basins. It also develops knowledge in partnerships with universities, other knowledge institutions and the business sector, not only in government research programmes but also in contract research. Deltares has more than 800 employees, and we are based in Delft and Utrecht.

More information: Deltares, Delft + 31 88 335 8273
www.deltares.nl

Read more on the expert panel on the blogpost of the new Minister for Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Posted in News.

Dutch parliament adopts unique Delta act for protection against climate change

June 29th, 2011 by nwp

Protecting the Netherlands from high water, now and in the future, and ensuring the freshwater supply: that is the aim of the Delta Act which was unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives on June 28.

Crucial importance
State Secretary Atsma (Infrastructure & the Environment) believes water safety and the freshwater supply are of crucial importance to the Netherlands. “They require a long-term approach. The Delta Act guarantees this!”

Flood control and fresh water supply
The Delta Act constitutes the legal basis for the Delta Fund which can be used to finance the safeguarding of the freshwater supply and protection against high water in the future. The Act also provides for the role of the Delta Commissioner who is tasked with ensuring that a Delta Programme is drawn up every year and the progress is reported.

According to Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken, the adoption of the Delta Act signifies ‘a great step along the road to anchoring the Delta Programme in law. And that is necessary for the realisation of the Delta Programme.’

Prepared for the future
Over the last century, the sea level has risen, soil has subsided and the weather has become warmer. The figures of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) indicate that this trend will continue. More severe weather conditions, such as more rainy periods and periods of drought, are matters that must be taken into account. The Delta Programme is needed to get the current safety in order and to ensure that the Netherlands is prepared for the future.

Coordinated action by all authorities
To that end, the government needs to take the right measures to keep the Netherlands safe and attractive, with a sufficient supply of freshwater. The state, provinces, municipalities and water boards are working together with civil society organisations, the business community and knowledge institutions in the Delta Programme, under the direction of the Delta Commissioner. The State Secretary of Infrastructure & the Environment is the coordinating member of the cabinet for the Delta Programme.


Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken.

One programme for all measures
Alongside the ongoing programmes such as Room for Rivers, Maaswerken (Meuse Works), Coastal Weak Links and the High Water Protection programme, the Delta Programme focuses on five Delta Decisions. By 2015, these decisions will be submitted to the cabinet.

These decisions involve the standards for our main dikes and other water barriers and the strategies for our water safety, the availability and distribution of freshwater, the level of the IJsselmeer, the way in which the Rhine Estuary & Drechtsteden region can remain safe without adversely affecting its economic value and how water can be taken into account during the construction of neighbourhoods and districts.

As of 2020 one billion euro annually
The Delta Fund is intended for spending in the areas of water safety and the freshwater supply. The Delta Act sets down that up until 2020 the funds from the Infrastructure Fund which have already been reserved for this purpose, will be transferred to the Delta Fund. In a supplementary policy agreement, the cabinet has agreed that from 2020 at least 1 billion euros a year will be available for the Delta Fund.

This news items was originally published on the website of the Delta Commissioner.

Posted in News.

Research consortium starts study on flood risk management in Bangladeshi and Dutch deltas

June 28th, 2011 by nwp

27 Jun 2011 – Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR, has been awarded a NWO WOTRO Integrated Programme Grant to conduct research on flood resilience and flood risk management in Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

A research consortium led by Flip Wester of the Irrigation and Water Engineering group of Wageningen University and Shah Alam Khan of the Institute of Water and Flood Management of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology will receive 700,000 euro from WOTRO as funding for the five year research programme ‘Communities and institutions for flood resilience: enhancing knowledge and capacity to manage flood risk in the Bangladeshi and Dutch Deltas’.

Consortium parnters
The consortium partners include the Chair Disaster Studies of Wageningen University, the Flood Resilience Group of UNESCO-IHE, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Dura Vermeer, the Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley and from Bangladesh the Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO), the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM), the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), ASA University Bangladesh (ASAUB) and Unnayan Shahojogy Team (UST).

Increase resilience
The research will assess and compare the strategies and policies of governments, professionals and communities to reduce flood risk and vulnerability in the Bangladeshi and Dutch Deltas. It aims to contribute to poverty reduction through the strengthening of institutional and community capacities to manage moderate floods and increase resilience to extreme floods.

Together with the Delta Alliance the programme will establish partnerships and enhance mutual learning between Bangladeshi and Dutch flood risk management researchers and organize an annual Delta Lessons Research Seminar and Stakeholder Forum.

No-regret response
Underlying the research is a practical interest to explore a range of “no-regret” responses to managing flood risk in urban and rural contexts that increase flexibility, adaptability and sustainability and contribute to poverty reduction.

Four PhD-projects
The programme will consist of 4 PhD projects that will analyze the strategies and policies of rural, urban, epistemic and policy communities to reduce flood risks and vulnerabilities. PhD1 will focus on delta knowledge agendas in the Netherlands and Bangladesh, PhD2 on urban flooding in Bangladesh with a focus on Dhaka, PhD3 on rural flooding in the Southwest Delta of Bangladesh and PhD4 on the integration of climate change adaptation strategies and disaster risk reduction initiatives with a focus on floods in the two deltas.

Stakeholder workshops
A fifth research project carried out by the senior researchers will analyze the existing science-policy-stakeholder interfaces in flood risk management in the two deltas and through stakeholder workshops and networking will encourage the uptake of the research findings in practice.

Scientific research questions
The research programme will address the following scientific research questions:

- What are the existing and proposed strategies and policies of urban, rural, policy and epistemic communities in Bangladesh and the Netherlands to reduce deltaic flood risk and vulnerability, especially of the poor and marginalized?

- What can be learnt from the similarities and differences between the approaches of the two countries and what opportunities does this present for the strengthening of institutional and community capacities to manage moderate floods and increase resilience to extreme floods?

- Which (new) tools, methods and approaches will shed light on vulnerability, increase resilience to floods, improve the effectiveness of flood management and disaster preparedness and lead to a better embedding of new knowledge and action with local stakeholders?

Development perspective
From a developmental perspective, the research programme will contribute to:

- An improved uptake of research findings through the development of science-policy-stakeholder interfaces in relation to flood risk management in Bangladesh and the Netherlands at both the local and national level.

- Capacity building of rural and urban flood prone communities, with an emphasis on improving Tidal River Management in the Southwest Delta and contributing to the City of Dhaka urban flood management plan.

For more information contact Flip Wester at flip.wester@wur.nl

See also website NWO-Wotro – Science for global development

This press release was originally published on website Wageningen University.

Posted in News.

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