Building With Nature Works!
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XX: "The Art of Dredging" - 2013, Brussels, Belgium
Authors:
Van Raalte, G, Zwemmer DJ, Hof D, Daan M
Abstract: The Building with Nature (BwN) research program, managed by EcoShape, has made many investigations to demonstrate the principle of building with nature to be feasible. Pilot tests included, among others, the Delfland Sand Engine, shellfish reefs Eastern Scheldt and innovative means of coastal protection. Boskalis, being one of the initiators and main partners of this program, is presently applying the BwN concept in various practical applications, so far mainly in the Netherlands. This paper describes a number of projects that were developed and are being constructed following this principle. It highlights environmental achievements enabled by sometimes simple technical modifications to the project design or plan. It also addresses governance issues that were experienced along the way.
Keywords: Environment, building with nature, projects