The document summarizes flood risk reduction measures taken in the Netherlands. It discusses how the Dutch have implemented structural measures like dams, dikes, and land reclamation projects to protect much of the country that sits below sea level. It also discusses non-structural measures like land-use planning, preparedness, and early warning systems. Proper land-use planning that takes into account flood risks can help reduce disaster risks by limiting development in vulnerable areas. The level of adaptation required depends on where people live - countries like the Netherlands with large populations in flood-prone areas require extensive protection systems.

1. MAZEN ABDO MOHAMMED ALQADI | Land Use and Env.Planning | March 21, 2016
Case Study - Flood Risk
Reduction in Netherland
Individual Assignment

2. Case Study: Flood Risk Reduction in Netherland
Abstract: this article focus on the application of Sendai Declaration particularly on flood risk
reduction in Netherlands. Besides elaborating on Sendai declaration and flood risk reduction,
it answers the following questions: (1) To what extend does the level of adaptation depends on
where people live in the world? (2) How proper land use planning can reduce this disaster
risk?
1. Introduction
The fact that climate change is unavoidable even if the greenhouse gas emissions is
substantially reduced, has been realized all over the world. As long as the global warming is
continuing, the see levels will continue to rise and precipitation patterns continue to change.
With the increase of see level, many countries are at the risk of facing flood disaster. Damage
due to floods has increased during the last few decades, and further increases are expected in
several regions due to climate change and growing vulnerability.
According to Van et al, [2], “Flood risk is a product of the probability of occurrence of
a flood hazard; the vulnerability of individuals, society, and the environment despite flood
mitigation from a broad variety of measures implemented to dampen flood consequences
through preparation, response, recovery and mitigation; and the consequences that result from
the mitigated hazard event”.
In order to reduce; disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the
economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses,
communities and countries; several flood risk reduction measure have to be implemented.
Some of these measures could be a combination of structural and non-structural flood risk
mitigation measure. Such a combination takes into account that flood defence systems may
fail, and prepares for unexpected crisis situations via land-use planning and private damage
reduction.

3. 1.1 Sendai Declaration
The Sendai Declaration is an outcome and declaration of the Heads of State and
Government, ministers and delegates who participated in the Third United Nations World
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. It recognizes the increasing impact of disasters and
their complexity in many parts of the world. The Sendai Framework is a 15-year, voluntary,
non-binding agreement which recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster
risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local
government, the private sector and other stakeholders. It aims for the substantial reduction of
disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social,
cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries. It has
seven global targets and four priorities (Appendix A) [1].
2. Case Study: Netherlands
The Netherlands covers 41526 km2
and is home to 16.5 million people. The country is
located on the North Sea, and is dominated by mouths of four great rivers: Rhine, Meuses, Wall
and Scheldt. As shown in figure 1, the majority of the country is located below sea level and
about two thirds of its area is vulnerable to flooding. Therefore, Flood control is an important
issue for a country that is among the most densely populated on Earth like Netherlands [3].
Figure 1: Netherland and Sea Level

4. 2.1 Adaptation To Climate Change And Flood Risk
Netherland has taken several measure to overcome flooding risk. One of these measure
are the Zuiderzee, Delta works and Sand Nourishment Programme. The Zuiderzee Works are
a system of dams, land reclamation, and water drainage works. The basis of the project was the
damming off of the Zuiderzee, a large shallow inlet of the North Sea. This dam, called the
Afsluitdijk, was built in 1932–33, separating the Zuiderzee from the North Sea and convert this
part of the sea to a lake. This followed by reclaiming a large area of land [4].
The Delta work was done to protect the province of Zeeland from flooding after the
disastrous floods in 1953, which claimed lives of 1,800 people, involved the evacuation of
72,000 and flooded about 2,000 km2 of land [3]. With the new Delta Programme, the Dutch
Government has made an important step forward towards national climate-resilience with the
focuses on flood protection, freshwater supply, and spatial adaptation to urban flooding and
urban heat stress. The aim of the programme is to support the strengthening of primary weirs
The Zuiderzee Works turned the Zuiderzee into a fresh water Lake IJsselmeer, and
created 1650 km² of land [4].

5. that do not live up to the required safety standards. Currently, Netherlands is protected from
coastal and riverine flooding by 3,500km of primary flood defences. These are accompanied
by 14,000km of dikes around basins, polders and canals, reducing the risk of flooding from
smaller water bodies and watercourses. An extensive and complex system of ditches and
waterways serves to manage the groundwater level in these polders. Every drop of rain that
falls in the polders must be pumped out. Consequently, every polder is connected to a pumping
station that transports the water to a drainage outlet or pool. From there, it is pumped out to the
other waterways and, finally, flows to the sea.
The Sand Nourishment Programme is the framework for the execution of the yearly
beach nourishments. In order to preserve the coastline the beaches need to be replenished every
year. Sand replenishment is used where beaches have retreated too far. About 12 million m3
of
sand are deposited yearly on the beaches and below the waterline in front of the coast.
The current sea defenses are stronger than ever, but experts warn that complacency
would be a mistake. In 2010 about 800 km of dikes out of a total of 3,500 km failed to meet
the norm. This does not mean there is an immediate flooding risk; it is the result of the norm
becoming stricter from the results of scientific research on for example wave action and sea
level rise [4]. To conclude, In the Netherlands, flood defenses are so well organized that people
are not scared of flooding anymore. The Dutch are extremely proud of their water management.
Around eight million people [almost half the population] living below sea level and depend on
their water management.
Sand replenishment in front of a Dutch beach [4]

6. 3. To what extend does the level of adaptation depends on where people live in the
world?
With referring to the Sendai Declaration, the level of adaptation is highly
dependent on where people live in the world. The adaptation aims to reduce disaster risk
and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural
and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries. Hence, all
parameter are related to human and their living places.
Moreover, adaptation measure are required where people live because would be
in a great risk without them. Table 1 shows the impact of flood and climate change in
general on people. Failing of vital sectors can lead to deaths or other casualties among
the affected population. Disruptions to the supply of energy, financial services or
drinking water have a direct impact on people’s daily lives and may affect large numbers
of people at the same time. The greatest impact is expected by increased heat stress; the
number of people affected compare to the number of inhabitants of a middle-sized Dutch
town, such as Leiden or Deventer. It is one of the main risks for people living in cities;
more frequent occurrences of heatwaves are expected to cause an increase in deaths
among vulnerable groups of the population, such as the elderly. Although some other
events, such as large-scale flooding or pandemics, may result in more casualties, these
events are less likely [5].
Table 1: Impact of flood and other climate change effect on people [5].
unLikely in this century
(up to 2100)
Likely in this century
(up to 2100)
Likely in this decade
(2010-2020)
Large
(>100,000
affected
and/or >10
deaths)
• Flooding due to primary
dyke breach
• Epidemic of a disease new
to the Netherlands
• Consequences of political
conflict elsewhere in the
world
• Flooding in eastern
Netherlands due to dyke
breach in Germany
• Failure in crucial parts of the
power grid due to prolonged
heat/drought or no wind
• Large-scale disruptions in
ICT due to disruptions in
crucial ICT nodes elsewhere
in the world
• Large-scale disruptions in
ICT services due to
overheating
• Urban heat stress

7. Table 1: Continue
unLikely in this
century (up to 2100)
Likely in this century (up to
2100)
Likely in this decade
(2010-2020)
Medium
(10,000–
100,000
affected
and/or 1–10
deaths)
• Flooding due to breaches
in secondary dykes on
local/regional levels
• Regional power failure
due to extreme weather
• Disruptions in railway
and road traffic due to
storm damage
• Local disruptions in ICT
and transport due to
wildfires
• Prolonged and more intense
pollen season (hayfever,
asthma)
• Increase in the number of
Lyme patients
• Infectious diseases caused by
reduced water quality
• Traffic accidents and
disruptions due to extreme
wind gusts and rainfall
• Damage to water pipes caused
by the pull of tree roots during
wind gusts
• Dutch casualties abroad due
to extreme weather or
infectious and other diseases
Small
(<10,000
affected and
no deaths)
• Local water drainage flooding due to
extreme rainfall
• Disruptions to railway and road
transport due to heat
• Local power failure due to storms or
soil movement
4. How proper land use planning can reduce this disaster risk?
Land use planning is a newly emerging disaster reduction method. Land use
planning is potentially powerful mitigation tool as it seeks to mitigate the risks and
vulnerability from several geological and other hazards. So the logic of land use planning
is compatible with disaster risk reduction because both are systematic, future-oriented,
decision-oriented, and proactive.

8. There is a need in disaster risk management to recognize the relationships
between population growths, the physical demands of human settlement, economic
planning and the most appropriate use of available land. Land-use planning that is
carefully designed and rigorously implemented is the most useful approach to managing
urban population growth and minimizing associated risks. It is also one of the most
challenging to implement because of conflicting values held about land by different
segments of the population.
Land-use management plans form a shared basis for sustainable development
and risk reduction strategies: As the physical and spatial projection of the social,
economic, environmental and cultural policies of a country, land-use management
includes various planning tools and management mechanisms. They are necessary for
a productive but sustainable use of land and provide for the successful regulation of the
economic life of a country. To conclude, if land are used according to their
vulnerability to risk, reduction of disaster risk would be minimal.
References:
[1] UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 Sendai Japan. "Sendai
Declaration". UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 Sendai Japan. 2015-
03-18 http://www.wcdrr.org/uploads/Political_Declaration_WCDRR.pdf, (cited 19-03-2016)
[2] Van Alphen J, Bourget L, Elliot C, Fujita K, Riedstra D, Rooke D, Tachi K (2011)
Flood risk management approaches—as being practiced in Japan, Netherlands, United
Kingdom, and United States. IWR Report N 2011-R-08
[3] Kazmierczak, A., & Carter, J. (2010). Adaptation to climate change using green and
blue infrastructure. A database of case studies.
[4] Flood control in the Netherlands
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_control_in_the_Netherlands (Cited) (20-03-2016)
[5] Willem Ligtvoet, Rijk van Oostenbrugge, Joost Knoop, Hanneke Muilwijk and
Marijke Vonk, (2015). Adaptation to climate change in the Netherlands - Studying related
risks and opportunities, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.

9. www.preventionweb.net/go/sfdrr
www.unisdr.org
isdr@un.org
Chart of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
2015-2030
Targets
Guiding Principles
Goal
Expected outcome
Scope and purpose
The present framework will applyto the risk of small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and
slow-onset disasters, caused by natural or manmade hazards as well as related environmental, technological
and biological hazards and risks. It aims to guide the multi-hazard management of disaster risk in
development at all levels as well as within and across all sectors
The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical,
social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries
Prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk through the implementation of integrated and inclusive economic,
structural, legal, social, health, cultural, educational, environmental, technological, political and institutional
measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness for
response and recovery, and thus strengthen resilience
Substantially reduce global
disaster mortality by 2030,
aiming to lower average per
100,000 global mortality
between 2020-2030
compared to 2005-2015
Primary responsibility
of States to prevent
and reduce disaster
risk, including through
cooperation
Substantially reduce the
number of affected people
globally by 2030, aiming to
lower the average global
figure per 100,000 between
2020-2030 compared to
2005-2015
Shared responsibility
between central
Government and national
authorities, sectors and
stakeholders as appropriate
to national circumstances
Coherence of disaster risk
reduction and sustainable
development policies, plans,
practices and mechanisms,
across different sectors
Reduce direct disaster
economic loss in relation
to global gross domestic
product (GDP) by 2030
Protection of persons and
their assets while promoting
and protecting all human
rights including the right to
development
Accounting of local and
specific characteristics
of disaster risks when
determining measures to
reduce risk
Substantially reduce
disaster damage to critical
infrastructure and disruption
of basic services, among
them health and educational
facilities, including through
developing their resilience by
2030
Engagement from all of
society
Addressing underlying risk
factors cost-effectively
through investment versus
relying primarly on post-
disaster response and
recovery
Substantially increase the
number of countries with
national and local disaster
risk reduction strategies by
2020
Full engagement of all State
institutions of an executive
and legislative nature at
national and local levels
«Build Back Better» for
preventing the creation
of, and reducing existing,
disaster risk
Substantially enhance
international cooperation
to developing countries
through adequate and
sustainable support to
complement their national
actions for implementation of
this framework by 2030
Empowerment of local
authorities and communities
through resources,
incentives and decision-
making responsibilities as
appropriate
The quality of global
partnership and international
cooperation to be effective,
meaningful and strong
Support from developed
countries and partners to
developing countries to be
tailored according to needs
and priorities as identified by
them
Substantially increase the
availability of and access to
multi-hazard early warning
systems and disaster risk
information and assessments
to people by 2030
Decision-making to be
inclusive and risk-informed
while using a multi-hazard
approach
Priorities for Action
Priority 1
Understanding disaster risk
Priority 2
Strengthening disaster risk governance
to manage disaster risk
Priority 3
Investing in disaster risk reduction
for resilience
Priority 4
Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective
response, and to «Build Back Better» in
recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction
There is a need for focused action within and across sectors by States at local, national, regional and global levels in the following four priority areas.
Disaster risk management needs to be based
on an understanding of disaster risk in all its
dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of
persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the
environment
Disaster risk governance at the national, regional
and global levels is vital to the management of
disaster risk reduction in all sectors and ensuring
the coherence of national and local frameworks
of laws, regulations and public policies that,
by defining roles and responsibilities, guide,
encourage and incentivize the public and private
sectors to take action and address disaster risk
Public and private investment in disaster risk
prevention and reduction through structural
and non-structural measures are essential to
enhance the economic, social, health and cultural
resilience of persons, communities, countries
and their assets, as well as the environment.
These can be drivers of innovation, growth and
job creation. Such measures are cost-effective
and instrumental to save lives, prevent and
reduce losses and ensure effective recovery and
rehabilitation
Experience indicates that disaster preparedness
needs to be strengthened for more effective
response and ensure capacities are in place
for effective recovery. Disasters have also
demonstrated that the recovery, rehabilitation
and reconstruction phase, which needs to be
prepared ahead of the disaster, is an opportunity
to «Build Back Better» through integrating
disaster risk reduction measures. Women and
persons with disabilities should publicly lead
and promote gender-equitable and universally
accessible approaches during the response and
reconstruction phases