Innovation platform as an icebreaker
Tulip Island off the Dutch coast?
The rising sea level caused by climate change will threaten the Dutch coast in the years to come, so on 4 February the Innovation Platform organized a special Coast Conference at which several Dutch experts were able to put forward their ideas—ideas that could not only combat this danger, but also address the energy shortage.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Tinkeke Huizinga, State Secretary for Transport, Public Works and Water Management, were presented with a plan to develop ‘a bouquet of tulips’ along the Dutch coast. Many big names from the government, scientific, financial and water and environment sectors were present at this important Coast Conference. Mark van Zanten, Royal Haskoning’s Coastal & Rivers senior consultant, was also in attendance to explain the positive effects of a long, narrow coastal reef off the Dutch coast. With its work on the palm islands in Dubai, Royal Haskoning has considerable experience of designing these kinds of coastal reefs and is seen as a reliable partner in innovation.
On display
Although the foreign press was full of it—the Shanghai Daily talked about Flower Power off the Dutch coast—a tulip island like this is unlikely to be built ‘But it was a great metaphor to kick-start the discussion about a new, trend-setting project in hydraulic engineering,’ concludes Mark van Zanten. ‘All of the separate ideas came together in one room. The Innovation Platform wants the Netherlands to showcase itself as a water nation again. And not just as a nation that struggles against the water, but above all as a nation that lives with the water. As a country that stands out in the field of hydraulic engineering, because since the Afsluitdijk and the Delta Works there have been no specific developments in which the Netherlands has excelled. This is why the Innovation Platform is encouraging high-quality innovative developments that also have export value.’
Specific projects
‘The action plan presented to the Prime Minister involves four ‘tulips’, four specific projects we are all going to focus on,’ explains Mark van Zanten. ‘The first two are existing projects (under development)—a multi-functional energy island off the coast and the Zandmotor project, a large coastal development on the seaward side in South Holland. The consulting work for an energy island like this is obviously right up Royal Haskoning’s street. Royal Haskoning is involved in the Zandmotor project as the process consultant for the province of South Holland. The two other projects (still very early plans) provide for a dynamic development of the IJsselmeer and the Afsluitdijk and the development of a natural estuary in the Zeeland Delta. Royal Haskoning is now actively involved with the further details of a plan by Wubbo Ockels for the dynamic development of the Afsluitdijk. Royal Haskoning obviously wants to provide input and guidance and be involved in all four projects. In the Netherlands we are seen as an important partner in innovation and we have the knowledge and people for this in house. Two of our latest projects off the Dutch coast (the Second Maasvlakte and The Zandmotor) will be realized after the required procedures have been completed. So we are delighted to concentrate our efforts on one of the Innovation Platform’s new ‘tulips’.”
Contactpersoon: Mark van Zanten
+31 (0)10 2865 579
m.vanzanten@royalhaskoning.com
