Dutch Delta Expertise
The Dutch are famous for living beneath sea level. Without dikes, some two third of the Netherlands would regularly be flooded.
During several ages, the Dutch have struggled with their fight against water and have gained extensive experience in e.g. levee engineering. However, the changing climate and subsequent wetter winters, drier summers and rising sea coincide with subsidizing soil.
The Dutch need to contend with conditions of increasingly frequent and dramatic fluctuations in the water supply. Should this occur, this would result in substantial economic loss, as well as place human lives at risk. The safety problem is undeniable.
Extreme lack of water is also a problem and can likewise result in dramatic economic loss. Altogether, this meant a tremendous change in policy, regulation and way of thinking was necessary.
In the Approach to Water-Related Problems memorandum (1999), the Cabinet, provincial authorities and water boards present a joint plan for the prevention of water-related problems. The plan consists of four components:
- Investigating water management in the 21st century
- Administrative measures
- Measures for the regional water management system and
- Measures for the main water management system
A specifically established committee (the Water Management in the 21st Century Advisory Committee) concluded that the water management system was inadequate now, and would be so for the future.
At present, the Dutch are taking measures to adapt to the changing environment and the risks posed from sea and the delta area. The Dutch have gained extensive experience in living in a changing environment and creating opportunities from this.
Examples of dutch expertise can now be viewed and toured using Google Earth! Read more...
Source: A Different Approach to Water, Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management
