Building with Nature: More than 10 Years of Pre-Competitive Knowledge Development
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XXII - Enhance the Harmony between Dredging and Ecology
Authors:
E.M.M. van Eekelen, L. Sittoni, F. van der Goot and H.E. Nieboer
Abstract
"Building with Nature (BwN) is an innovative design philosophy that optimizes the utilization of natural processes in the development of resilient and sustainable hydraulic infrastructure. BwN aligns the interests of human, economic and nature development. .In 2008 an initial Building with Nature (BwN I) innovation program started, managed by the Ecoshape foundation, as a 30 mln€ Public-Private Partnership (PPP). After this first program, EcoShape and partners have established the on-going second Building with Nature program (BwN II). In the second program, the knowledge developed in the first program is tested in field pilot applications in a broad range of environments. The scope of the second program is nearly 47 mln€ in pilot projects and associated research initiatives. Contrary to the first program, this program is funded ‘bottom-up’ via a diversity of subsidies, research grants, project development funding as well as a significant cash and in kind contribution from partners of the EcoShape consortium. Anticipated end time for this research program is December 2020. Within the two research programs a variety of projects, research and pilots have taken place to demonstrate the applicability of BwN principles as integral part of the design of hydraulic infrastructure. During the period of activity of the EcoShape-consortium, the thinking about nature-based solutions has become more common. Already quite some projects have been realized that include BwN principles. Yet nature-based philosophies still require greater diffusion and mainstreaming worldwide to improve resilience of infrastructure and areas threatened by the effects of climate change and ecosystem degradation. This paper will discuss the activities of the EcoShape-consortium in the two BwN knowledge development programs, provides a detailed overview of the current BwN II program including some examples and highlights of pilot projects. Furthermore, it addresses questions regarding the wider application of the BwN-philosophy and the more general dissemination of nature-based solutions."
Keywords: Building with Nature, nature-based solutions, knowledge development, design philosophy.