Innovative national pilot on Multi Level Safety approach

The MARE project, 'Managing Adaptive REsponses to changing flood risk' is selected as a national policy pilot on Multi Level Safety. The Dutch national government commissioned the partners to study the possibilities to combine measures from different safety layers: flood prevention, spatial planning and emergency response. These disciplines are traditionally managed separately with a clear investment focus on flood prevention. The Learning & Action Alliance in MARE is pioneering in bringing different interests and expertises together to break such cultural and technical lock-in.

B&W facilitated a unique workshop that mobilised a broad group of participants ranging from utilities, developers, construction companies, local, regional and national government, Red Cross, the Military, to policy and fire departments. For the city of Dordrecht different potential measures were identified such as super levees, safe havens and flood proof infrastructure design (transport, electricity, ICT). These measures seek synergies between the safety layers. E.g. a levee is planned to cross a new development area at a higher level with public space and dwellings on both sides close to the water. This will increase the visibility of the water and thus the attractiveness of the area. Meanwhile the civil structure can serve as a safe route when water levels rise. These concepts stimulate a debate on future urban planning and flood safety policy and might provide business opportunities. During 2010 these strategies will be elaborated, especially towards actual implementation: cost benefit analysis, investment planning, business planning and policy making.