Descriptions of demonstration projects
In the coming years, Dordrecht will have to restructure and redevelop significant areas of the city, especially those developed in the difficult economic climate just after the second world war. Dordrecht sees this as an opportunity to improve its flood risk and water management practices and to prepare these areas for climate change. But: the city needs to explore what adaptations are needed to cope with the possible impacts of climate change? What makes a neighbourhood "climate proof"? How can water safety measures best be combined with planned restructuring of these areas?
The demonstration projects encompass two main themes:
"Water in the City" focuses on urban development in combination with water nuisance, caused largely by rainfall. The main requirement is for a methodology that will allow the impacts of climate change and long-term urban planning options to be assessed.
In co-operation with UNESCO-IHE and Deltares, Dordrecht will test elements of the CPT to assess the capacity of the cities drainage and surface water management systems to absorb the impacts of climate change and urbanisation The methodology will be used to assess the key tipping points when system performance is likely to become unsatisfactory and to identify the adaptive response options that will be the most effective in terms of performance and cost.
The second theme is "City on the Water", in which urban development and flood risk from sea or rivers are considered. In this part of the project the "MultiLevelSafety" approach will be developed and demonstrated.
Dordrecht literally is a city in the water, an island surrounded by rivers. Parts of the city are located outside primary dikes: a part of the historical city centre, industrial areas, the Biebosch natural reserve and regeneration projects such as Stadswerven are examples. In this part of the MARE project, the Dordrecht Learning and Action Alliance will develop and demonstrate a new approach to flood risk management (the Multi Level Safety approach), to improve both safety and attractiveness of the city.
