Ecosystem-based climate change adaptation for Essenvelt, Middelburg, The Netherlands

Climate change is an internationally recognised phenomenon generally held accountable for the increasing magnitude of extremes in both climatic events and temperature. With increasing urbanization and the concentration of socio-economic activities in urban areas, the challenge to contend with climate change is particularly pertinent in cities. In response to climate-change impacts, a range of climate-adaptation strategies have been developed to make cities increasingly ‘climate proof’. A qualitative research approach is employed to review climate change, its impacts and some adaptation strategies, focusing on ecosystem-based adaptation strategies from Belgium and The Netherlands and Water-Sensitive Urban Design approaches developed in Australia. The article engages a case study of Essenvelt, Middelburg, The Netherlands, where unanticipated warmer night-time temperatures are a primary concern, related to natural variability, the urban heat island effect and climate change. The article proposes certain adaptation measures for Essenvelt, based on the adaptation strategies reviewed

Mesozoic Paleo-Pacific Subduction Beneath SW Borneo: U-Pb Geochronology of the Schwaner Granitoids and the Pinoh Metamorphic Group

The Schwaner Mountains in southwestern Borneo form a large igneous province with a complex magmatic history and poorly known tectonic history. Previously it was known that Cretaceous granitoids intruded metamorphic rocks of the Pinoh Metamorphic Group assumed to be of Paleozoic age. Jurassic granitoids had been reported from the southern Schwaner Mountains. Most ages were based on K-Ar dating. We present new geochemistry, zircon U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar age data from igneous and metamorphic rocks from the Schwaner Mountains to investigate their tectono-magmatic histories. We subdivide the Schwaner Mountains into three different zones which record rifting, subduction-related and post-collisional magmatism. The Northwest Schwaner Zone (NWSZ) is part of the West Borneo Block which in the Triassic was within the Sundaland margin. It records Triassic to Jurassic magmatism during early Paleo-Pacific subduction. In contrast, the North Schwaner Zone (NSZ) and South Schwaner Zone (SSZ) are part of the SW Borneo (Banda) Block that separated from NW Australia in the Jurassic. Jurassic granitoids in the SSZ are within-plate (A-type) granites interpreted to have formed during rifting. The SW Borneo (Banda) Block collided with eastern Sundaland at c. 135 Ma. Following this, large I-type granitoid plutons and arc volcanics formed in the NWSZ and NSZ between c. 90 and 132 Ma, associated with Cretaceous Paleo-Pacific subduction. The largest intrusion is the c. 110 to 120 Ma Sepauk Tonalite. After collision of the East Java-West Sulawesi (Argo) Block, subduction ceased and post-collisional magmatism produced the c. 78 to 85 Ma Sukadana Granite and the A-type 72 Ma Sangiyang Granite in the SSZ. Rocks of the Pinoh Metamorphic Group mainly exposed in the NSZ, previously assumed to represent Paleozoic basement, contain abundant Early Cretaceous (110 to 135 Ma) zircons. They are interpreted as volcaniclastic sediments that formed contemporaneously with subduction-related volcanic rocks of the NSZ subsequently metamorphosed during intrusion of Cretaceous granitoids. There are no igneous rocks older than Cretaceous in the NSZ and older than Jurassic in the SSZ and there is no evidence for a continuation of a Triassic volcanic arc crossing Borneo from Sundaland to the east.This project was funded by the SE Asia Research Group of Royal Holloway University of London, which is supported by a consortium of oil companies

Een natuurlijkere toekomst voor Nederland in 2120

Nederland staat voor grote opgaven: de energietransitie, verduurzaming van de landbouw, herstel van de biodiversiteit, verstedelijking en klimaatadaptatie. Al deze opgaven hebben gevolgen voor de ruimtelijke inrichting van ons land. Het is onvermijdelijk dat Nederland er over honderd jaar anders uit zal zien. Grote veranderingen zijn nodig om opgewassen te zijn tegen een stijgende zeespiegel, perioden van extreem weer, een toenemende vraag naar voedselproductie en een noodzaak om de uitstoot van broeikasgassen terug te dringen.Deze opgaven vragen om een nieuw verhaal voor Nederland. Een verhaal waarin dit dichtbevolkte land zich ontwikkelt tot een gidsland waar natuur, duurzame economie, leefbaarheid en veiligheid voorop staan. Een verhaal gebaseerd op ‘nature based solutions’ waarin opgaven voor klimaat en biodiversiteit hand in hand gaan.Wageningen University & Research heeft dit verhaal geschreven gebaseerd op expertkennis: een toekomstvisie voor Nederland in 2120, waarin natuur en natuurlijke processen een hoofdrol spelen. Een visie die bedoeld is om te inspireren. Het schetst een toekomst waarin economische ontwikkeling en een natuur-inclusieve samenleving hand in hand gaan. De toekomstvisie houdt rekening met de bijzondere kenmerken van verschillende deelgebieden in Nederland. Door middel van kaarten en doorsnedes laten we op hoofdlijnen zien wat er per gebied mogelijk is op het gebied van ruimtelijke inrichting. Dit toekomstbeeld schetst een denkrichting gebaseerd op de uitkomsten van diverse ontwerp- en discussiesessies met onderzoekers. Er is behoefte aan nadere uitwerking en onderbouwing. Samen met stakeholders gaan we deze visie verder ontwikkelen, onderbouwen en vertalen naar handelingsperspectief voor het hier en nu

Design for Regeneration – A Nature-Based Future Perspective on Cities

In a rapidly urbanizing world climate change and biodiversity loss are amongst the biggest risks for societies across the globe. In its annual global risks report the World Economic Forum defines these topics as the risks with the largest likelihood and impact for the global economy. A call for action is widely acknowledged, but the way forward and action perspectives are not always clear. These major topics are often placed at the same level compared to other emerging issues and transitions. Current planning practice shows a wide palette of actions, action-oriented programming and rethinking urban and rural design from different angles and perspectives: circular, smart, adaptive, nature inclusive or resilient. Unfortunately, this seldom ends up in a coherent planning strategy and integrated design for a circular, smart, adaptive, nature inclusive and resilient city . This is not unique to the urban tissue but is also common practice in rural areas. Additionally, urban and rural strategies are also still heavily disconnected, although clear relationships and interdependencies across social, economic and natural systems are eminent. Above all, the revaluation of green and blue in both urban and rural areas is moderately moving forward. But a radical rethinking, intertwining the natural basis in all our actions and perspectives as a solid fundament for a sustainable, resilient and prosperous future , is often missing. Do we see and understand the complete picture? Do we embrace diversity and complexity ? And do we really envision an enabling future which combines a long-term perspective with dedicated short-term actions? How do we create a long-term vision for the future in the context of a short-term decision-making practice? Besides reducing negative impacts, a positive impact and future quality in the broadest sense should be enhanced

Programmeringsstudie klimaatbestendig landelijk en stedelijk gebied : Programmeringsstudie voor de kennis- en innovatie agenda Landbouw, Water, Voedsel

Deze programmeringsstudie is uitgevoerd in opdracht van het ministerie van LNV en levert een bijdrage aan de Kennis en Innovatie Agenda (KIA) voor het thema Landbouw, Water, Voedsel. De KIA is onderverdeeld in 6 missies, waarvan Klimaatbestendig Landelijk en Stedelijk (missie C) gebied er één van is. Het doel van missie C is om Nederland zowel voor het landelijke als stedelijk gebied uiterlijk in 2050 klimaatbestendig en waterrobuust te maken en te houden bij verdergaande klimaatverandering. In de programmeringsstudie zijn de belangrijkste kennis- en innovatieopgaven die nodig zijn om dit doel te bereiken uitgewerkt

Chapter 5: A nature-based approach to building Water Smart Cities

Cities around the world need to rethink the way they deal with water and develop into water smart cities. This chapter will address a shift in urban water management towards water smart cities using three strategies: (1) restore degraded ecosystems in natural surroundings of cities; (2) implement Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) on a large scale; (3) close the urban water cycle and treat water as a resource. NBS are solutions inspired by, supported by or copied from nature. The Water Smart City approach integrates urban water management on a district, city and catchment scale. Furthermore, innovation and close collaboration between local stakeholders, businesses and research institutes are a key part of this approach, to continuously learn and improve the solutions. By collecting and analysing data, cities can create an evidence base for nature-based adaptation. Case studies presented are Oslo, New Delhi and Ho Chi Minh City. The chapter concludes with a roadmap to become a Water Smart City