R&D highlights edition 2019

53 R&D Highlights 2019 Social and economic impact Delta areas are becoming increasingly urbanised, leading to challenges in the areas of sustainable planning and pressures on natural resources. Climate change is affecting flood risks and the distribution of water, and therefore land use and spatial planning. Demand for integrated solutions is constantly increasing. That is why the adaptive delta planning theme develops integrated methods and instruments to accelerate design, improve quality and reduce the costs of spatial planning. The costs and benefits of climate adaptation strategies need to be assessed over time and for different possible pathways. Integrated instruments will help to develop integrated solutions and apply them to urbanisation issues in deltas. Government organisations involved in water management, subsurface and spatial planning are already integrating and applying Deltares knowledge to address adaptive planning issues. Businesses also advise governments by using Deltares tools for consulting services. Doctorate and master students from universities worldwide are developing their talents through direct access to Deltares knowledge.