With the publication of the “Samen werken met water” [working alongside water] report containing the findings of the Delta Committee 2008, there has been a further call for fresh ideas when planning for water in the development of urban areas. Ideas for climate adaptation and innovations in water management are being put forward in relation to development schemes, the various risks/threats (water draining from roofs, sewers, groundwater, polder systems and river basins) and management strategies.

Ensuring our environment remains a good and safe place in which to live demands creativity and that the right choices are made. The ambition and the technology are already there. In addition to producing technical solutions, we want to create a water management system that is sustainable and makes us
more aware of the quality of our (living) environment. We have set ourselves the challenge of improving perception and experience, the multiple use of space, combining functions and encouraging awareness.

Combining our design experience and technical know how puts us in a position to link solutions to challenges and produce creative and innovative ideas when planning for water in the development of urban areas. Adaptation comes about through the interchange between politics, financial processes, the
need to respond to climate change and growing awareness. In this way, the reality of a ‘water-resistant’ city comes ever nearer. By promoting the water sensitive city we are demonstrating our long term vision for cities in which the awareness of water, energy and our living environment are all connected and in which planning developments always take place in a robust and climate-proof way.

Our Vision

The water sensitive city is a place where the built and natural environments are in balance. It is a vibrant city with strong social values through which a healthy water system flows. It is a place with an integrated urban water system where the sustainable use of rainwater, groundwater, surface water, wastewater and drinking water is taken for granted. Ecosystems, infrastructure, communities, those in authority and businesses act together in a resilient and flexible way and are ready for the future. When promoting the water sensitive city we make a distinction between:

Application in practice

When promoting the water sensitive city, we have set ourselves the challenge of, alongside producing technical solutions, creating a water management system that is sustainable and makes us more aware of the quality of our (living) environment. The vision we are presenting is based on the building blocks that make the transition to a city in which the awareness
of water, energy, nature and living environment are all connected and in which planning developments always take place in a robust and climate-proof way.

Ideas for climate adaptation and innovations in water management are being put forward in relation to development schemes, the various risks/threats and management strategies. Ensuring our environment remains a good and safe place in which to live demands creativity
and that the right choices are made. Our task is to apply sustainable technology and innovations in practice and enable these to filter through to become standard practice. How do we link this task to ensuring that the best decisions are taken and to implementing sustainable solutions?

Every planning development should be evaluated for opportunities to incorporate sustainability and innovation. In the Netherlands water has gained its own place in the planning decision-making process via the mandatory “water assessment” (Wet Ruimtelijke Ordening - Spatial Planning Act). The process of the water assessment requires that when development plans are put forward the consequences and opportunities for water and/or
spatial planning are considered at an early stage. The application of sustainable technology (“being aware of water in the design and organisation”) should be determined via a referencing option in the process of the water assessment (“awareness of water”). This is partly driven by the legislation, such as for adequate water storage and good water quality.

Where the actors and parties involved come together, the joint ambition and level of involvement should also be discussed. Mutual independence between the actors and parties involved, uncertainty about final outcomes and continually changing partnerships have changed government’s leading role to a shared role with stakeholders. Planning developments are no longer just about the technicalities, but also about the way decisions
are taken. Defining the quality of the environment being sought and the management approach to bring this about (efficiency, costs/benefits) makes it possible to formulate joint agreements for the actual implementation of sustainable technologies and solutions. In this way, growing awareness and adaptation comes about and the reality of a water sensitive city
comes ever nearer.