1. A Dutch independent research
institute for water, soil and
subsurface issues
Deltares supplies state-of-the-art consultancy and expertise about water, soil and the
subsurface. We are a leader in the development, diffusion and application of knowledge for the
sustainable planning and management of vulnerable deltas, coastal areas and river basins.
Our professionals engage in practical research and Where a lot of people live, levels of development and
provide specialist advice – in the Netherlands and activity are intense, and the infrastructure network
throughout the world – for clients who want the latest becomes intricate. Safety, transport, nature and living
developments to be implemented in practice. We are combined in densely-populated delta areas. So
advise governments and other clients in the search for managing the delta is a complex business. In this
solutions that are rooted in society as a whole. dynamic environment, achieving a sound balance
We develop knowledge in partnerships with universities, between the various interests is a major technological
other knowledge institutions and the business sector, feat. Before we can put technological solutions into
not only in government research programmes but also place, we need to look at societal considerations,
in contract research. Deltares has 900 employees, and taking into account all the spatial, economic
it is based in Delft and Utrecht. and administrative consequences of the use and
management of water and soil.
Throughout the world, more and more people are
settling in opportunity-rich, but vulnerable, deltas,
coastal areas and river basins. Delta areas have major
economic potential because of their strategic location
close to the sea and waterways. The ground is fertile
and rich in minerals and raw materials. But these low-
lying areas are also vulnerable. That vulnerability is
being spotlighted because of rising sea levels, extreme
river levels, subsiding soft soils, and increasing pressure
on space and the environment.
‘Enabling Delta Life’
Climate change, subsidence, population expansion
and environmental pressure mean that traditional
solutions are no longer adequate. The intensification of
pressure on scarce space is forcing people to move out
increasingly to areas that are less suitable as places to
live. At the same time, society as a whole is granting
higher priority to the quality of the living environment.
We all want safe, clean and sustainable places to live,
locations that are easily accessible, where we can live
pleasantly, protected from the effects of the climate.

2. The Dutch know how to make the most of the available look not only at rivers in isolation but at complete river
space in low-lying areas with soft soils and, at the same systems.
time, how to provide protection against the dangers of Questions about water and the subsurface involve not
the water. Their knowledge and experience make Dutch only technological issues, but also natural processes,
experts very much in demand, both at home and far spatial planning and administrative/legal processes.
beyond their own borders. We apply the knowledge about those processes in
There is increasing global demand for that expertise. integrated ways. Sophisticated combinations of
Deltares provides innovative solutions that make living measures result in more sustainable, liveable, and
and working in deltas, coastal areas and river basins often more economic solutions. We call this integrated
safe, clean and sustainable, putting into practice our approach ‘delta technology’.
strategic principle: ‘Enabling Delta Life’.
Widely applicable specialist consultancy and
Delta technology research
The Netherlands has the knowledge and the resources Deltares stands for a good balance between specialist
needed to tackle these issues in a new, integrated consultancy and applied research at both the national
way. Water and the subsurface in deltas cannot be and international levels. Water and subsurface issues
viewed separately. Extreme fluctuations in water levels, are global issues. However, climate, social structures,
subsidence and rising sea levels require us to focus ecosystems, land use and the subsurface can be very
more on management and safety. We tackle safety different from the Netherlands. International activities
issues by assessing risks in advance, using models and give Deltares the opportunity to extend and deepen its
other research methods. And to reduce uncertainty, we knowledge, keeping our work at the cutting edge.
Deltares is the
Dutch institute
for national and
international water, soil
and subsurface issues
Deltares expertise:
Urban water management
Integrated coastal zone management
Integrated water resources management
Climate change
Flood risk analysis and flood risk management
Operational warning and management systems
Water and soil quality
Flood risk engineering and management
Hydraulic engineering
Offshore
info@deltares.nl Intake and outfall systems
www.deltares.nl Spatial planning and ecology
Linear infrastructure
Innovation management
Strategic studies
2009/05