Symposium Building in Water

Invoking the discussion

Everyone shouts that the sea level will rise by 1 or even 2 meters in the coming centuries, but no concrete plans are made. Even after 15 years of Deltaplannen, one does not get further than four cartoons that are supposed to represent potential solutions in the Delta Program. That does not lead to discussion and decision-making, thinks em. prof. drs. ir. Han Vrijling of TU Delft. Together with Rein van Vliet of Eventually, he is therefore organizing the Building in Water symposium early next year.

The symposium, taking place simultaneously with Infratech 2023, is intended to present ideas, exchange knowledge and probe opinions on a smart and sustainable redesign of the Westerschelde. "When I look at the Westerschelde with my classic hydraulic engineering eyes, I estimate that a sea level rise of 1 or 2 meters will not work out well for Antwerp," says Vrijling. "There is already sometimes water on the quay now. If a meter is added, the consequences are incalculable. The solution? A storm surge barrier or closing off the Westerschelde with a dam?"

Vrijling further sees a great contrast between the ports of Rotterdam and those of Antwerp. "The ports of Rotterdam have slowly moved in recent decades from inland to the sea front. They used to be in the middle of the city, now they are completely outside it in Europoort. A big contrast with Antwerp. Here large ships have to make their way through the winding tidal channels of the Westerschelde to the city's ports. Can we sustain that in the long run? Isn't it much better to create an island in the mouth of the Westerschelde where you receive large ships on the sea side and then sail smaller ships up the Westerschelde?" Fodder for discussion.

Another point Vrijling brings up is an idea previously floated by former Minister Smit-Kroes. "A second N-Z connection as part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). A road from Rotterdam over the Zeeland dams, across or under the Westerschelde towards northern France. That too becomes topical again if you build a dam, island or storm surge barrier in the Westerschelde. Because a flood barrier is eventually unavoidable in the context of safety, rising sea levels and further economic development of the area and the hinterland." 

"During the symposium on January 19, 2023 at the Ahoy Convention Centre, we will launch plans and concrete ideas for the future of the Western Scheldt. Hopefully that will provoke discussion. Because right now there is still too much shooting from the hip, without making it concrete. It sows fear. And that is not necessary, because together we can also meet these challenges."