Climate stress test light, Voorne-Putten region
In the autumn of 2015, the Voorne-Putten region commissioned a climate stress test light with the support of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. No full stress test was conducted, but insight was given into the challenges that the municipality faces and recommendations were made for subsequent steps.
Results
The stress test showed that districts of Voorne-Putten are vulnerable with respect to coastal flooding, pluvial flooding, drought, and heat. It was noted that the problem of pluvial flooding for the built-up urban area cannot be clearly defined with current knowledge. The other climate issues also require further study. Climate-proofing the area requires an integral area-wide approach. Climate-adaptive measures must also be linked to other processes, programmes and projects, such as visions for the area, infrastructure, reorganisation and renovation, spatial planning redesign, and water supply. This requires a broader approach and involvement than the municipal involvement alone. The following linkage options have been identified:
- Stream restoration;
- Area perspective on Noordrand;
- Micro-solutions at the residential plot level in urban areas. For example: water-permeable paving, green roofs and gardens, “thicker facades”;
- New construction and restructuring/renovation;
- Redevelopment of residential neighbourhood in Spijkenisse-noord;
- Development of land lying outside the dyke in Hellevoetsluis (incl. Veerhaven);
- Decision to open Haringvliet locks: natural area development and recreation;
- Flood protection programme.
Follow-up project
The next step recommended is to start a follow-up project focused on the development of a common climate-resilience ambition and implementation strategy. Restrict this ambition to the main lines. Entrust the implementation of the follow-up project to the Voorne-Putten Collaboration, and use the current collaboration with the district water board and other partners to develop and flesh out the common substantive problems and/or process issues. Use the RO-Duurzaamheid (sustainability) Portfolio Holders Consultative Body for the administrative embedding of the follow-up project. For the climate aspect, create an administrative position for the district water board in this.
As recommended, the next step involves three separate tracks:
- Implementation in the short term. Initiate implementation quickly, focus on “low-hanging fruit”. Concrete results motivate. This could involve addressing current bottlenecks, such as pluvial flooding in the city hall of Hellevoetsluis, or tying in with current projects, such as stream restoration (Kreken Kweken), Vision for location improvement (Hellevoetsluis), the neighbourhood approach (Hellevoetsluis, Nissewaard), the Waste Water Chain collaboration, and generally integrating climate-adaptive measures into the redesign of public areas.
- Increase insight into the effects of climate change, such as flooding in the built-up urban area from rainwater, surface water and groundwater. Conduct research in the short term in cooperation with the district water board. Approach this integrally within the framework of public health and the quality of life.
- Develop a communication/participation strategy. Share knowledge with the stakeholders (perhaps more widely) and let them participate in the discussion on ambition and implementation strategy. Because the implementation of the “climate strategy” is a joint action of governments, businesses, residents and institutions of knowledge, it is important for these parties to fully participate in the development of ambition. This will enable the ambition to be seen as their “own” product.
Contact person
Hanna Borren
Municipality Hellevoetsluis
+31(0)181 33 03 09
h.borren@hellevoetsluis.nl