Rotterdam. Climate Change Adaptation Strategy ROTTERDAM WORLD POR T WORLD CITY ROTTERDAM WORLD

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1 otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy OM WOL O WOL CIY OM WOL

2 otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy Our climate is changing. s a global port city in the utch delta, otterdam will notice the effects of this climate change. Sea levels are rising; over time, this will impact upon the safety of our dikes. ischarges from rivers will become more extreme, which will lead to an increased flood risk and, as a result, the risk of victims and (economic) loss. We will also see more frequent downpours of greater intensity. he current drainage system will no longer be able to cope with this, and the result will be water on the streets and other problems. t the same time, the risk of long periods of drought is increasing, which may affect the quality of life in the city. he otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy sets the course that should enable otterdam to adapt to the climate changes and shows how inhabitants, businesses and the city can also achieve maximum benefit. Inner-dike Outer-dike olders and green buffers Urban districts Compact city centre Urban districts ort and harbour areas roundwater older ditches ump older outlet ump Canal umping station ike river Meuse ike North Sea O WOL CIY OM WOL O WOL CIY

3 esult of the otterdam Climate roof programme otterdam and the changing climate In 2008, the City of otterdam ratified the otterdam Climate roof (C) programme. he aim of this programme which forms part of the otterdam Climate Initiative is to start working towards a climate proof city and to create the maximum possible economic spin-off in the process. One of the results of this is the otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy. his What are the effects of global climate change for otterdam? What should we do to keep our city safe and habitable, now and in the future? Who do we work with to do this, how can inhabitants of otterdam contribute and how do we go about it? he otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy provides answers to these questions. strategy provides the framework and the starting point for a future proof development of otterdam. he otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy ensures that, in the future, topics such as water safety, accessibility and the robustness of the city are included as the basis for each (spatial) development right from the start of the process. Over the past 150 years, the number of inhabitants, the economic value of the port, the city and the region and mutual dependencies in society have all increased sharply. he damage caused by extreme weather conditions or a dike breach will, therefore, be much greater than it used to be. nsuring a safe, accessible and attractive city is therefore increasingly more Solid foundation he otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy is based on research that has been carried out within the national research important and urgent. However, this is not so simple, as climate development is full of uncertainties. What exactly will change and when? ealing with these uncertainties means that we need to anticipate things in a shrewd and flexible manner, adapting the city at an early stage by profiting from urban developments. programme Knowledge for Climate and the national elta programme. For the first time, the city is being looked at from the perspective of climate change and the consequences for the operation of the city are being investigated. We now have an understanding of the areas where the city is vulnerable, but also where there are opportunities to combine the necessary modifications with making the city more attractive. Fortunately, we are not starting from scratch. ffective measures have also already been put in place in the past. robust system of dikes, dams and flood barriers keeps both the city and the port safe. Indeed, otterdam is one of the safest delta cities in the world. otterdam also has a well-functioning water system, consisting of sewerage, canals, ponds and pumps, which keeps the city dry and healthy.

4 Objectives for a climate proof otterdam In otterdam, we look towards the future together. Specifically, we want to achieve the following: he inhabitants of otterdam are aware of the effects of climate change and know what they themselves can do Inhabitants and businesses in otterdam need to be aware of the consequences of climate change, to become conscious of their own responsibilities and to know what action they themselves can take. he City of otterdam provides the framework within which they can assume their own he city and its inhabitants are safe from the water responsibilities. It is vital that otterdam and its inhabitants remain protected from flooding and that investor retain their confidence in the city and region. Climate adaptation contributes to a comfortable, pleasant and attractive city otterdam must continue to be a city in which it is pleasant to he city and its inhabitants suffer as little inconvenience as possible as a result of too little or too much rain otterdam needs to be able to cope with extreme weather situations such as prolonged downpours, heat waves and periods live and work and where climate change does not adversely affect the health and welfare of its inhabitants. he measures used to guarantee this will directly contribute to making the city more attractive and to improving the environment. of drought. o this end, we are already working together with the partners of the otterdam Water lan and will continue to do so. Climate adaptation strengthens the otterdam economy and its image Making the city climate proof will benefit the economy of he ort of otterdam remains safe and accessible otterdam needs to remain accessible to people, goods and services. he vital urban (public utility) networks are robust and even extreme weather events do not result in unmanageable situations. otterdam. Climate adaptation will create new, economic impulses in the city and strengthen the international image of otterdam as an ambitious and progressive delta city. In this way otterdam will confirm its ability to take charge of a situation and promote itself as a role model for other cities. Storm surge barrier Maeslantkering

5 he core of the otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy 1. obust system: maintain and strengthen For a climate resilient city, we can continue to rely on our current robust system of storm surge barriers and dikes, of canals and lakes, outlets, sewers and pumping stations. In the future, we will also continue to maintain and improve this essential infrastructure; in order to do this, we use the accumulated knowledge about the vulnerable parts of the city to optimise this commitment. reventing the loss of vital public utilities and facilities in the area outside the dikes, in the city and the port, is of particular concern. his is the robust basis for a climate proof otterdam. 2. daptation: use of urban space But we need to do more. he existing system will reach its limits if the water levels in the river rise, if periods of heavy precipitation intensify or if periods of drought and high temperatures continue for longer. We are already seeing this in some parts of the city. hat s why we need to take additional adaptive measures. daptation means that we look for solutions throughout the entire urban area that will relieve the system and create resilience. he sponge function of the city is restored with measures which keep rainwater where it falls, store it and drain it away slowly. hese include water squares which relieve the sewage system, infiltration zones along infrastructure and the integration of trees and greenery in outdoor areas (both public and private), which benefits the city environment. By frequently applying these small-scale measures to the capillaries of the city, we are able to reduce otterdam s vulnerability. In concrete terms, this means: Maintaining and optimising the Maeslantkering (storm surge barrier) as effective protection against the effects of a rise in sea level in consultation with the administrator in charge. Linking the strengthening of the flood defences to the urban specifications at the relevant locations. ike reinforcements are seamlessly incorporated into the city and are multifunctional, serving, for example, as recreational trails, natural embankments, or are combined with area development. Working with the other responsible parties to maintain and optimise the current urban water system. We continue to utilise the quality of the existing water infrastructure. In this adaptive approach, we are opting to: Build and furnish adaptively equipping in the outer-dike areas, to seek clever combinations of protection (dikes), spatial planning (e.g. elevating some sections, floating buildings) and damage control (such as evacuation routes, water-resistant design of homes and external spaces, etc.). his is the so-called multi-level approach. Harness the outdoor space and buildings for water storage and smart water drainage, linked to the urban task at the specific locations; this creates more flexibility in the potential solutions and provides the opportunity to add quality to the environment. his could include, for example, an underground water storage facility linked to car parks or blue-green networks in the city. ctively encourage heat resistance as part of the design, renovation and maintenance of buildings, outdoor spaces and the road and public utility infrastructure. his could be achieved by, for example, incorporating trees and greenery and creating shade and adequate insulation in homes and offices. OBUS SYSM OBUS SYSM OBUS SYSM W O L K K O + OBUS OBUS SYSM + SYSM H NVIONMN W O COLOY L K K O OBUS OBUS SYSM SYSM SOCIY W O L K K O H H CONOMY NVIONMN W O COLOY L K K O OBUS SYSM SOCIY + + H CONOMY

6 3. Working together and linking in with other projects in the city Maintaining the current robust system, such as dikes, canals and drains is and will remain the duty and responsibility of the government and local authorities. In addition to the City of otterdam, the water boards and the national government also play an important role. n example is the national elta rogramme which, at a national level, determines the necessary choices for water safety and the supply of fresh water. But climate change adaptation in the city requires more than this. he maintenance of many vital public utilities is in the hands of our urban partners. It is therefore essential that energy, the supply of (drinking) water and IC networks do not break down for long periods of time and it is imperative that these remain robust in extreme weather conditions. Most of the buildings and land are private property. Implementing adaptation measures in both the public and private urban spaces therefore also requires cooperation with other parties. 4. dded value for the environment, society, economy and ecology In this way, climate change adaptation offers ample opportunities to strengthen the economy of the city and the port, to improve the quality of life in neighbourhoods and districts, to increase biodiversity in the city and to foster committed and active participation by otterdam residents in society. Working together for a climate proof city pays off! Introducing more trees and plants into the city, for example, makes it less vulnerable to extreme rainfall, drought and heat stress. t the same time, this green adaptation will make the living environment more attractive, become the motor for other investments and inspire the residents of otterdam to play an active role. Companies are already benefitting from the increased focus on climate adaptation and sustainable urban development, as well as the international profile otterdam enjoys in this field. t present, there are approximately 3,600 jobs in the region which are directly linked to climate change adaptation. he many businesses in the maritime, engineering In addition to governments, inhabitants, businesses, housing associations, developers, knowledge institutions and interest groups are also contributing to otterdam s climate resilience. s well as developing the network, the municipality has a predominantly supporting and encouraging role. n example of this is the ile out, reen in initiative, which encourages the inhabitants of otterdam to make their gardens greener. Collaborating at all levels with the parties working in otterdam is necessary if we are to achieve our goal of a climate proof city. and delta technology sectors in the otterdam region all have excellent growth prospects. hese examples show that climate change adaptation contributes to the city s physical, economic and social ambitions. he municipality, in any case, substantiates this by: ctively offering scope for pilot projects and innovations within climate adaptation measures (otterdam as a testing ground and portfolio for the business community). Connecting elta Cities as a strong international network of cities to be used as the connection with the international here is plenty of time to adapt to the changing climate. his means that it is possible to link the adaptive measures to other spatial development projects in the city and to intelligently market. Launching the further greening of the city as a no regrets measure to create an attractive city environment. combine them with existing management and maintenance programmes. his is known as moving to the rhythm of the city. climate proof approach to projects will be the subject of discussions between the municipality and the initiators. shared ambition for a climate proof urban development is essential here. For the municipality, this means, at the very least: ctively gathering information and providing inhabitants and businesses with actions to take to protect against river water, excessive and insufficient rainfall and periods with extremely high temperatures. Working towards a shared responsibility of public and private land owners for the collection of excess rainfall.

7 etting started! Climate change adaptation requires tailor-made solutions otterdam continues to work towards a climate proof city. tailor-made solution which is created for a particular area is the starting point in this respect. In the areas of otterdam outside the dikes, which are home to 40,000 inhabitants, the multilayered safety principle is paramount. s well as robust measures to avoid flooding, such as raising the levels of land, flood proofing measures for buildings and outside areas, or disaster management, could also be opted for in order to reduce risks. his could be done, for example, by building on stilts or creating floating buildings ( flood proof building) or by building embankments for dikes. Changing the way in which we construct and equip our buildings creates a broader range of measures. Implementation pproach he strategy sets the direction and provides the framework; the implementation approach is the next step in the adaptation process. With this, otterdam indicates where its priorities lie, which connections are being made to plans and projects by urban partners and how soon actions will be implemented. Central to the how of the implementation are: movement in parallel with planned projects, a regional approach by dovetailing with the area plans, creating added value and a joint approach. he choice and the costs of measures are an integral part of the decision-making in each project. he municipality has opted here for a facilitating and stimulating role; in the cases where it has formal duties, it will certainly also meet its own responsibility by taking action. nd of course, otterdam will remain at the forefront of realising exemplary projects as an innovative and climate proof delta city. ermanent flood protection is the goal. In this way, otterdam is working to become a future proof city o protect otterdam s inner-dike areas, flood prevention is paramount. gain, a tailor-made approach is necessary to be able to integrate spatial planning into the dike maintenance plans. When relieving the urban water system and making the city that provides safety and is attractive to its inhabitants, visitors and businesses, both now and in the future. It is a safe, habitable city in the utch delta and it is a pleasure for people to work and live there. more resilient in order to collect too much or, in fact, too little rainfall, ensuring that this is correctly integrated into other plans by the city council or other parties is vital. Water storage that uses public spaces and provides additional features, such as water squares, is one example of this. Water square Benthemplein UBNISN UBNISN UBNISN OM WOL O WOL CIY OM WOL

8 he otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy is the responsibility of the otterdam Office for Sustainability and Climate Change. he otterdam Climate Initiative (CI) aims to have reduced CO 2 emissions by 50% and to have made the region 100% climate proof by he CI is an initiative set up by the otterdam City Council, the ort of otterdam NV, CM ijnmond environmental department and eltalinqs, the umbrella organisation for otterdam industry. s a decisive and innovative international port, otterdam, together with its inhabitants, businesses and institutions is assuming responsibility for ensuring a sustainable future. By tackling both the causes and the consequences of climate change, improving the air quality and limiting noise pollution, otterdam is continually improving its sustainability. his unique approach is making otterdam an inspirational example to other cities. he aims and results in the field of the environment, climate, energy and water contribute to the creation of a greener, cleaner, healthier and economically stronger city and will make otterdam the most sustainable international port in the world. otterdam is hosting the international conference eltas in imes of Climate Change II, September More information ownload the complete otterdam Climate Change daptation Strategy from otterdamci O WOL CIY OM WOL O WOL CIY