Building with Nature as Integrated Delta Management
Topical collection
The environmental crisis puts all human systems under pressure, this is specifically the case in the vulnerable deltas where ongoing engineering solutions have been applied. The question is how we can work with nature to achieve our safety goals and at the same time have a healthy and livable environments. The perspective of collaboration with nature has many different definitions, nature based solutions, nature inclusive design, building with nature, they all share the strong tendency to take the natural system as starting point.
This perspective is giving the natural system another position in the engineering solutions, it is interesting to note that engineering knowledge becomes even more important in this shift of perspective. But this also goes for how we govern our deltas at the moment and how it affects our envrionments. There is a need for integrated delta management in order to innovate together with nature, this is a reoccuring topic in our journals.
| European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research | Journal of Coastal and Hydraulic Structures |
| Journal of Coastal and Riverine Flood Risk | Journal of Delta Urbanism |
Guest editors
Building with Nature: A nineteenth century concept
Hooimeijer, F., & Lambert, D. (2021). Building with Nature: A nineteenth century concept. Journal of Delta Urbanism, (2), 24–47. DOI: 10.48438/jdu.2.2021.6223
The concept of “Building with Nature” refers to a harmonious way of creating environments for new living, working and recreation spaces with respect to nature. It also builds resilience to natural events such as storm surges and thus involves the design of infrastructure.
Where space is created societal values are generated – the case of the Sand Engine
Vreugdenhil , H., & Slinger, J. (2023). Where space is created societal values are generated – the case of the Sand Engine: the case of the Sand Engine. International Journal of Water Governance, 10(1). DOI: 10.59490/ijwg.10.2023.6691
A large sandy peninsula and beach were realized in Dutch coastal waters in the Sand Engine pilot project. In addition to the benefits for flood protection, the Sand Engine generates multiple other societal values.
The Potential for Various Riverine Flood DRR Measures at the Global Scale
Mortensen, E., Tiggeloven, T., Haer, T., van Bemmel, B., Bouwman, A., Ligtvoet, W., & Ward, P. J. (2023). The Potential for Various Riverine Flood DRR Measures at the Global Scale. Journal of Coastal and Riverine Flood Risk , 1. DOI: 10.59490/jcrfr.2023.0003
Flooding events that occur on the Earth’s rivers annually cause large amounts of monetary and human impacts. These impacts are expected to increase through the end of the 21st century for various reasons.
Optimising the wave attenuation of bamboo fences using the numerical wave model SWASH
Alferink, M., Gijon Mancheno, A., Suzuki, T., & Reniers, A. (2023). Optimising the wave attenuation of bamboo fences using the numerical wave model SWASH. Journal of Coastal and Hydraulic Structures, 3. DOI: 10.48438/jchs.2023.0027
Mangroves protect tropical coastlines from flooding and erosion, reducing flood risks along coastal communities worldwide. Nevertheless, mangrove forests have experienced considerable losses due to activities like urbanization and aquaculture, exposing coastal areas to wave attack.