Modelling damage due to low flows in the Meuse. Poster.

In this research the damage due to low discharges on the Meuse has been analysed to get a better view on the scope of the low flow problem. The research area consists of the Dutch and the Flemish part of the Meuse upstream of Roermond and the canals fed by it. A model has been developed to assess the total damage and the distribution over different regions and economic sectors in a number of situations. Total damage varies from a few million Euros in a medium dry year to ten times that much in an extreme dry year. Most of the damage occurs in the navigation sector and the power generation sector. Climatological and economical development will increase future damage substantially. On the other hand, much can be gained by applying appropriate management strategies

Toward more flood resilience: is a diversification of flood risk management strategies the way forward?

European countries face increasing flood risks due to urbanization, increase of exposure and damage potential, and the effects of climate change. In literature and in practice, it is argued that a diversification of strategies for flood risk management (FRM) - including flood risk prevention (through pro-active spatial planning), flood defense, flood risk mitigation, flood preparation and flood recovery - makes countries more flood resilient. While this thesis is plausible, it should still be empirically scrutinized. This paper aims to do this. Drawing on existing literature we operationalize the notion of "flood resilience" into three capacities: capacity to resist; capacity to absorb and recover; and capacity to transform and adapt. Based on findings from the EU FP7 project STAR-FLOOD, we explore the degree of diversification of FRM strategies and related flood risk governance arrangements at the national level in Belgium, England, France, The Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, as well as these countries' achievement in terms of the three capacities. We found that The Netherlands and to a lesser extent Belgium have a strong "capacity to resist", France a strong "capacity to absorb and recover" and especially England a high capacity to transform and adapt. Having a diverse portfolio of FRM strategies in place may be conducive to high achievements related to the capacities to absorb/recover and to transform and adapt. Hence, we conclude that diversification of FRM strategies contributes to resilience. However, the diversification thesis should be nuanced in the sense that there are different ways to be resilient. First, the three capacities imply different rationales and normative starting points for flood risk governance, the choice between which is inherently political. Second, we found trade-offs between the three capacities, e.g. being resistant seems to lower the possibility to be absorbent. Third, to explain countries' achievements in terms of resilience, the strategies' feasibility in specific physical circumstances and their fit in existing institutional contexts (appropriateness) as well as the establishment of links between strategies, through bridging mechanisms, have also been shown to be crucial factors. The paper provides much needed reflection on the implications of this diagnosis for governments, private parties and citizens who want to increase flood resilience

Does collaboration enhance learning?The challenge of learning from collaborative water management research

Does collaboration between researchers and other stakeholders enhance mutual cognitive learning?  To answer this question, this thesis analyzes two research processes concerning future flood management in the Lower Rhine basin and groundwater management in and around Delft. The  results suggest that only intensive collaboration enhances learning significantly. Moreover, many other factors that influenced learning were identified.Water ManagementCivil Engineering and Geoscience

Seven rules for researchers to increase their impact on the policy process

OA fund TU Delft This paper addresses the question of how hydrologists and other researchers can contribute most to water management practice. It reviews the literature in the field of science and technology studies and research utilization and presents the results in the form of seven "rules" for researchers. These are (1) Reflect on the nature and possible roles of science and expertise; (2) Analyze the stakeholders and issues at stake; (3) Choose whom and what to serve; (4) Decide on your strategy; (5) Design the process to implement your strategy; (6) Communicate!; and (7) Consider your possibilities and limitations. A key notion in this paper is that research always involves selection and interpretation and that the selection and interpretations made in a specific case always reflect the values and preferences of those involved. Collaboration between researchers and the other stakeholders can increase the legitimacy and utilization of the research and can prevent the researchers' specific expertise from being lost.Civil Engineering and Geoscience