Keynote (opening): The day after we stop dredging
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2007 - The Day After we Stop Dredging, Rotterdam
Authors:
Ronald E. Waterman, Member of Parliament, Province of South- Holland; Senior Advisor to: Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works & Water Management; Rotterdam Port Authority and Deltares; visiting university lecturer, the Netherlands
Abstract: Many civilizations originated and were often developed in the border zoneland - water, in coastal and delta regions. These border-zones were and stillare very attractive for living, working, tourism & recreation, transport,water resources and food supply. They are also attractive for the development ofvaluable nature areas, because of the presence of gradients from wet to dry,from high to low in salt & calcium compounds and other mineralconcentrations, differences in height & micro-climate. These gradients areoften guarantees for a large variety of species.
Therefore, it is notsurprising that at the beginning of the 21st century; around 80% of the largestpopulation centres in the world are found in coastal areas. Striking examples ofcoastal urbanization can be found in nearly all continents, as can be seen infigure 1. In these densely populated coastal and delta areas there are manyexisting and future problems in need of solutions, but they also presentchallenging opportunities to create added value. In all these areas thereis limited space available for living, working, recreation & tourism andinfrastructure, while there is the need to preserve or even enlarge naturalcoastal and delta habitats. At the same time there are many threats such asclimate changes causing sea level rise, higher frequency and intensity of stormsurges, higher frequency and intensity of rainfall. Other threats are caused byland subsidence, increased runoff due to higher percentages of built-up areasand deforestation resulting in higher river levels and increasing flood dangerand land slides.
Other problems in these regions are related to waterresources, with regard to groundwater levels, water quantity and quality,saltwater intrusion, shortage of drinking water supply, inadequate sewer systemsand waste water purification. Apart from and in addition to focusing on surfacewater and ground water problems, special attention needs to be given to waterfronts in both urban and rural areas, because of their significance for manyfunctions.