Building with Nature - an Engineering Approach for Sustainable Port Development
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XXII - Enhance the Harmony between Dredging and Ecology
Authors:
F. van der Goot, D.C. Rijks and J.S.M. van Thiel de Vries
Abstract
"Ports are crucial for the economic development of coastal areas; they secure jobs, availability of goods and provide infrastructural links with the hinterland. However, ports are located at boundaries of land and water where sensitive habitats are present and can impact the surrounding environment. In addition the port sector is increasingly confronted with challenges related to population growth, climate change, energy transition and raised awareness of the social footprint. This is reflected in expanding complexity of permitting processes and stakeholder consultation. In order to facilitate the economic growth in the coming years, port development projects need to balance these developments with sustainable functioning of ecosystems and societal needs, requiring innovative and adaptive solutions. The Building with Nature (BwN) design and engineering approach takes the site-specific context as a start point to provide cost effective solutions with added value for economy, society and nature."
Keywords: Dredging, Beneficial uses, Environmental dredging, Ecological dredging.