25th ICID European Regional Conference; Deltas in Europe
Integrated water management for multiple land use in flat coastal areas
16-20 May 2011 Groningen, the Netherlands
Coastal areas are of strategic importance for integrated water management for multiple land use, such as food production, urban and industrial areas, recreation and nature conservation. In these geographical areas water management is related to flood risk management, land reclamation, rural reconstruction, salt water intrusion and habitat conservation. The institutional settings for water management are also important prerequisites for success. In Europe the complex requirements in order to comply with the various relevant EU Directives, notably the Water Frame Work Directive and the Flood Directive, have become an important policy issue. The implementation process has begun. The European countries develop plans and programs to respond to the recent challenges to coastal and tidal management. How can they mutually benefit from various European, national and regional perspectives and views?
25th ICID European Regional Conference Program
The three days of the congress cover the theme in full breadth and depth. The program offers a mix of key note speeches, paper presentations, session workshops, excursions and debate panel sessions. The program is surrounded by an interactive forum foyer with media, information, presentation units of conference partners and various social events.
Workshops & Creativity
Partners of this conference have prepared special sessions for Thursday afternoon to deepen insight in the theme and topics of this conference. One of the special sessions will demonstrate a regional integrated planning project for water management, nature development, flood management and spatial rehabilitation. Other special sessions offer in-depth discussions on flood protection, emission-control programs in an agricultural area, water and education, and a comparative assessment of the vulnerability and resilience in ten deltas.
Panel discussion on Water and Food
The conference will be concluded on Friday with a panel discussion on the theme water and food, introduced with a speech of the Dutch under-minister of water management mr. Atsma and three key-note speeches. The panel discussion provides ample opportunities to share views and develop policy perspectives on this urgent issue.
Paper Sessions & various perspectives
After lunch the first two days and in the morning at Thursday of the conference parallel paper sessions will highlight the conference program. Session speakers will present their subject in the context of universal understanding that the ICID European Regional Conference offers. Results of research, illustrative examples and case studies are included showing approaches from various perspectives. Paper Sessions are set up according to the specific conference subtopics:
Topic I. Multiple land-use
Integrated water management for multiple land use in flat, low lying coastal areas. Under this topic papers are invited that present developments with respect to land use planning and changes in land use in densely populated coastal areas. Issues at stake are for example policy approaches, design standards, combination or separation of functions, people participation, etc.
Topic II. Fresh water management and salt intrusion
In coastal areas fresh water/saline water interactions and their consequences for ecology and water quality generally play an important role in coastal zone management. In several countries special provisions have been taken to harmonise and control such developments, like Haringvliet and Lake IJssel in the Netherlands, Venice lagoon, Italy, St. Petersburg, Russia. Under this topic papers are invited that present such cases with a focus on the solutions that have been selected and the management and monitoring of the developments in such areas.
Topic III. Flood risk management
Flood risk management in flat coastal areas under the influence of changes in land use, possible increase in storm surges, subsidence and impacts of climatic change, as well as the role of ecology and habitats. Under this topic papers are invited that present the interaction between flood management and land use under changing conditions. Special attention has to be paid to the comparison of alternative solutions, structural and non-structural approaches, design standards and operation and maintenance aspects.
Topic IV. Institutional arrangements and history
Institutional arrangements for water management and flood protection, such as water boards, and the role of central government, provinces, communities and non-governmental organisations e.g. in the framework of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The role of legal arrangements, such as the European Directives (Water Frame Work Directive and Flood Directive). The importance of Historical perspectives for developments in flat coastal areas. Under this topic papers are invited that present interesting institutional and legal developments, measures that were taken and to what extent historical developments have played a role in formulating future approaches.
Workshops & Creativity
There are different types of workshops at Thursday afternoon. Partners of this conference have prepared special sessions to deepen insight in the theme and topics of this conference. As well special sessions, excursions, workshops as educational sessions are involved. These sessions and workshops are detached from the strict frame of the conference and offer opportunities to literally see and understand more of the landscape of Roden-Norg which is a case study and example of an integrated planning project for water management, nature development, flood management and spatial rehabilitation, with due attention for agricultural activities. The workshop approach will challenge participants to work together, producing an added, new awareness of the issue proposed as the result of collective group creativity.
