Areas of expertise

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  Flood Risk

  Rising sea-levels, population growth and economic activity are driving an increase in demand for flood risk forecasting and possible protective measures. The research conducted by Deltares improves the precision of our assessments of dike strength, water-level predictions, wave heights and erosion, and allows for better risk appraisal. Our expertise covers the full scope of flood risk management: from risk calculations to practical support for making policy decisions. The result is seen in flood prevention measures that are more effective, more cost-efficient and socially...

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  Adaptive Delta Planning

  The main aim of the theme Adaptive Delta Planning is to integrate our technical knowledge on water, subsurface and infrastructure with governance and policy-making to solve problems in highly complex dynamic delta systems. The primary focus is therefore to develop and test concepts, methods and instruments to realize this goal. The theme naturally requires strong ties with all other themes of Deltares.

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  Infrastructure

  In delta areas, more and more infrastructure is built on land and in the water. Building on or in the soft soil of deltas is not without risks. The same applies to structures on sea and river beds. Deltares research focuses on reducing costs and risks when building in coastal regions, soft ground and at sea. Innovative solutions are designed to make existing infrastructure climate change proof, if possible using natural processes.

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  Water & subsurface resources

  The availability and use of water and subsurface resources is changing. Supplies of fresh water are declining but demand will rise rapidly in the years to come. Scientists expect shortages of fresh water in the next decade to be one of the leading threats to global peace and stability. Deltares maps out current and future supplies of water (including groundwater) so that pre-emptive steps such as new solutions for water distribution and reservoir management can be taken to cope with shortages and...

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  Environment

  Pressure on ecosystems and the environment is increasing as the population and the economy grow. At the same time, governments are becoming more ambitious in terms of improving soil and water quality, and there is increasing demand for ecosystem services. Deltares is developing knowledge about the quality of soil and water systems, and making that knowledge available through model and information systems for policymakers, managers and users. The system knowledge is also being used for sustainable natural solutions as an alternative to...