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Adaptation to climate change: water and spatial planning

Dutch national policy reflected in the international context of Espace

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National, regional and local adaptation to climate change

Main threats in the Netherlands:

• Sea level rise and high water in the rivers (safety)

• Susiding of the ground

• Urbanisation, increasing of paved surfaces

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Response of Dutch national policy

Policy water and spatial planning since 2000:

• National agreement on water between national, regional and local governements

• National document on spatial planning including water

• National project Space for rivers

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Main characteristics

• From sectoral to integral• From technical to spatial solutions• National policy as a framework for regional and

local implementation• Separate responsibilities:

a) the main water system (national) versus the regional water systems (waterboard)b) V&W (water) versus VROM (spatial planning)

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Instruments bridging the gap

• Water test • Principles for water quantity and water

quality (set of three)• Norms for inundation • Water agreements / blue knots• Multiple land use• Integral law for water (in progress)

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Present gaps and barriers

• Awareness versus willingness to make real offers• National formulated adaptation strategies versus

local implementation (in)ability• Distribution of responsibilities• Complex planning systems with different cultures• Integral approach versus sectoral interests• Short term offers versus long term “benefits”

(avoided risks)

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VROM in ESPACE

• Cooperation with local government (waterboards)• Deepening of insight in national gaps and barriers

(national event stakeholders 2005)• International reflection of national policy and

contributing to and exchanging knowledge with other partners Espace (international event stakeholders 2007)

• Implementing the transnational outcome in the national context

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Expected output national meeting with stakeholders

• Identifying gaps and barriers in the Netherlands (national, regional, local)

• Focus on regional implementation• Intensifying cooperation stakeholders:

waterboards, municipalities and provinces and national government

• Translation in what is needed as an input for the international meeting (national agenda)

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Expected output international meeting stakeholders (2007)

• Identifying common gaps and barriers partners Espace

• Focus on regional implementation • Cooperation between stakeholders: local, regional

and national governments (water experts and spatial planners!)

• Concrete agenda for the (near) future including a general communication strategy for all partners

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Key questions national and international confrontation

• Do we have what we need for a successful implementation of adaptation strategies?

• What are the most difficult barriers?• What do we miss in terms of instruments,

adaptation strategies or public participation?• What can Espace partners learn from each

other?