News

Deltares is co-author of the latest Sand and Sustainability: An Essential Resource for Nature and Development report by the UN (UNEP) that warns of the sand gap. This gap results from the fact that humans are currently extracting sand faster than it replenishes in nature. The resulting dilemma we face is that humans depend on ‘dead’ sand for infrastructure and ‘living’ sand for ecosystem services. We must use both in balance with one another to live safely.

Deltares plays a key role in a new European research project, OASIS, coordinated by SYKE, which focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), satellite data and digital innovations to better monitor and predict water quality and ecosystems for the benefit of future water and nature management in Europe.

After more than four decades at the forefront of coastal science and engineering, Dano Roelvink will retire in May as an expert in coastal morphology at Deltares and as Professor of Coastal Engineering and Port Development at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.

Due to grid congestion, new residential areas are increasingly unable to obtain a timely connection to the electricity grid. As a result, the delivery of thousands of homes is being delayed, putting pressure on national housing targets.

How recovery following large-scale floods can be better prepared and organised was the focus of a three-day international workshop held this week in Belgium and Germany. Policy-makers, researchers, and practitioners from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Spain, among others, exchanged experiences regarding recent floods and formulated joint recommendations for future-proof recovery policies.

Flooding in Venice is becoming increasingly frequent and poses a growing threat to the city and the lagoon. The cause is relative sea-level rise: a combination of sea-level rise due to climate change and local land subsidence, which has been making Venice more vulnerable for over 150 years. New research by the University of Salento, the University of East Anglia, University of Venice, and Deltares, among others, shows that, in addition to existing protection, further adaptation measures are inevitable to keep Venice liveable in the long term.

A new paper led by Valeria Di Fant (Deltares / Utrecht University) reveals that Europe has far more opportunities to accelerate climate adaptation than usually is recognised. Rather than responding only when climate risks become urgent, the study showcases how political momentum, public support, availability of resources, technological innovation and/or routine maintenance cycles may accelerate adaptation action.

Many innovative ideas start small: at a workbench, in a start-up, or within an SME that has a smart solution for a major societal challenge. But a good idea alone is not enough. The step from innovation to real-world application requires knowledge, testing opportunities and the right partners. That is exactly where the Deltares SME Challenge comes in.

Flooding caused by extreme and prolonged rainfall is occurring more frequently across Europe. The way countries recover afterwards varies widely. These differences offer valuable lessons. That is why, under the umbrella of the JCAR ATRACE programme, policymakers, experts and practitioners from several European countries will gather from 14 to 16 April for a workshop to exchange experiences.

It is now possible to use a model to map the distribution and concentrations of particulate matter from tyres and road wear anywhere across the globe. This is important for taking precautionary measures and, in the long term, for developing legislation and regulations. The model can be applied to both water and soil.

Deltares and Sweco have developed land subsidence maps for new building projects. They provide project developers, municipal authorities and the national government with a clearer picture of where new building projects on soft soils are possible and which measures are required. The maps are a valuable building block as the Netherlands has plans to build 900,000 homes between now and 2030, and to increase the rate of construction to 100,000 new homes a year.

As 2050 approaches, much of the Dutch sewer system is reaching the end of its life, with investments of billions of euros around the corner. More and more municipal authorities are opting for DIT sewers (drainage infiltration pipes) but an adequate systematic basis is still lacking with respect to the costs, benefits and operation. A national survey by Deltares found considerable variation in the use of DIT sewers.