About Julia Bleser

Julia Bleser is a consultant and researcher at Deltares within the Department of Ecology and Water Quality (EWQ). She has expertise in climate adaptation, nature-based solutions (NBS) and the relationship between water quality and health. With this knowledge, she advises stakeholders in these areas and conducts applied research. An important focus point in her work is the BENIGN research project, in which she investigates how green urban measures - such as heat stress reduction through nature-based solutions (NBS) - affect water quality and health. Here she coordinates monitoring in cities such as Leiden and Dordrecht, among others, and works with universities, planning agencies and municipalities on design guidelines for healthy urban living environments.

In addition, Julia is developing the Floods and Health-Tool, an analysis tool that quantifies health risks associated with floods. Together with international partners, she contributes to the application and further development of this tool, as well as to knowledge sharing within strategic research programs. Julia is also involved in strategic programs such as NL2120, where she investigates administrative obstacles and possible solutions for the application of NBS. Through these diverse projects, Julia bridges the gap between climate, water and health, and contributes to climate-proof, healthy living environments.

Innovation and Collaboration
Another important part of her work is innovation and co-creation.For example, Julia is active within the learning teams - living labs in which contractors, governments (such as Rijkswaterstaat) and knowledge institutions work together on sustainable innovations in river management.Here she supervises processes, organizes sessions and connects partners around shared challenges.Within the NEW-ttt program she focuses on innovation in water technology, among other things by supporting start-ups in validation tests, organizing network events and bridging the gap between science and the market. These activities bring her into contact with both governments and international organizations.In these networks, she brings parties together to share knowledge and jointly develop new solutions.Julia's working method is connecting, multidisciplinary and socially driven.