IJsseldeltaZuid

Climate adaption in the IJsseldelta

The river IJssel in the Netherlands is a major branch of the river Rhine, the 3rd largest river of Europe. It discharges its flows to the LakeIJsselmeer. The IJsseldelta is a low-lying area that is threatened by floods from both the river IJssel and from the LakeIJsselmeer.
 
In 2005 the Province of Overijssel initiated the process of drawing a sustainable development plan for the IJsseldelta area, with a strong focus on climate adaptation. The challenge was to combine and integrate several spatial developments (housing, infrastructure, leisure, nature, agriculture), together with the construction of a so-called bypass of the river IJssel.

The result is an integral plan that is supported by more than 20 governmental and non-governmental organizations. With the construction of the bypass some 350 hectares will be added to the floodplains of the delta of the river IJssel. The effect of the restoration of the floodplains is that the water levels of the river IJssel will decrease substantially during situations of high river discharges. This contributes to the safety and resilience of the area.

One of the most recent ideas is to develop a climate proof dike − a kind of super dike along the river bypass − that at the same time can act as an embankment for housing development. In September 2009 an agreement has been reached to finance the project, which will cost about €325 million in total. When everything goes according to plan and without delay, the implementation of the project will start in 2013. 

Information
For further information about project IJsseldelta:
Download the Brochure Climate Adaptation in the IJsseldelta or the powerpoint presentation Climate Adaptation in the IJsseldelta

Click here for the Englisch movie of IJsseldelta-Zuid.