The document discusses the relationship between the Netherlands and water. It notes that 70% of the Dutch GDP is produced below sea level and the country experiences two major floods per century, costing around 2% of GDP each time. It describes how the Netherlands takes a "living with water" approach through programs like "Room for the River" which widens river channels and sets dikes farther back to accommodate higher water levels from climate change and prevent costly dike heightening. The goal is to increase flood protection while enhancing natural landscapes.

1. Water & The Netherlands:
A new relationship
Anne Donker
Consulate General of the Netherlands

2. 2
The Netherlands: a delta landscape, penetrated by
rivers, subject to sea and river flooding

6. 70% of Dutch GDP is produced below
sea level

7. 7

8. Two major floods per century

10. 2% of Dutch GDP

11. 11

12. Living with Water

13. 13
The Netherlands: a delta landscape, penetrated by
rivers, subject to sea and river flooding

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16. Backup Slides

17. Thank you.
Anne Donker
Senior Economic Officer
Consulate General of the Netherlands
Anne.donker@minbuza.nl

19. Room for the River
• Design discharge increase (for 2050), from 15.000 m3/s to 16.000
m3/s, is insufficient, given climate change
• Projected need:18,000 – 20,000 m3/s by 2100;
– 1995 flood: 12,500 m3/s
• Heightening / reinforcing embankments is costly ($1.7 billion /
2050), and will likely increase overall risk
• From flood resistance to flood accomodation
• Reduce projected increase in design discharge levels
• Dike heightening only as a last resort
• Flood management and spatial quality (enhancing natural and
cultural landscape values); design teams led by local govt.
• RvR began as idea in 1986, gained momentum in 1990s, US
projects as inspiration

20. Room for the River today
• 700 potential projects identified, 39 selected, 35 being implemented
• urban, agricultural/rural, wetland restoration
• 2,3 billion euro budget ($3 billion)
• Implementation 2009-2015: money is committed, not subject to
annual appropriations cycle, this yields certainty and cost savings
• Oversight team coordinates feedback / experience between projects
• Info: www.ruimtevoorderivier.nl/meta-navigatie/english

21. Waal River / Nijmegen Project
• River bottleneck, channel restriction from 1500m width to
450 m width
Options:
• Ag / undeveloped land
available to north
• Northern river bank land targeted
for development
• Key road / rail / harbor
infrastructure
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22. Dike set-back strategy: safety, increased storage /
flow capacity, and new land opportunities
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24. Integration with urban development
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25. Room for the river | Ijssel River | Zutphen - Cortenoever