2
FRONT
COVER
They measure just a few
centimetres and the delicate
taste has been appreciated for
centuries. But oysters also play an
important role in flood protection.
Oysters spend their lives without
moving and so they can live in high
concentrations. The resulting oyster
banks can be used as substitutes
for hard structures such as rock or
concrete breakwaters to protect
the coast and mitigate erosion.
This natural approach to coastal
protection is already being used in
many countries. There are many
more ways of using nature to
improve flood protection, often in
combination with traditional hard
structures.
Global interest in 'building with
nature' is on the rise. It fits in well
with the continuing increase in
the population in coastal areas,
deltas and river basins, which
requires more flood protection and
improvements in the sustainability
of the living environment. The time
seems to be ripe for the large-scale
application of the concept. See page
9
onwards.
6
‘
DUTCH APPROACH’
GOES GLOBAL
Water Minister Schultz explains the
significance of ‘Bringing in the Dutch’.
9
DOSSIER BUILDING
WITH NATURE
Making the most of growing
enthusiasm for ‘building with nature’.
20
THE CONCEALED
STRENGTH OF CORAL
The costs of replacing lost coral could
be as much as one million euros per
square kilometre every year.
Delta Life is published by Deltares,
an independent institute for applied
research in the field of water, subsur-
face and infrastructure. Throughout
the world, we work on smart solu-
tions, innovations and applications
for people, environment and society.
Our main focus is on deltas, coastal
regions and river basins.
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Text:
Deltares
Design and
layout:
Maters en Hermsen
Journalistiek
Print:
Koninklijke BDU,
Grafisch Bedrijf bv
ISSN: 2351-972X
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And also
 03.
Deltares in brief
10.
Alliance of engineers and ecologists
highly productive
12.
From ambition to practical execution:
three recommendations for managers
13.
Earning model makes eco-engineering
more successful
14.
Building with nature in practice
16.
Infographic: the multifunctional dike
18.
Using land temporarily in sustainable ways
22.
Testing ground: optimisation of
design for underwater screens
23.
Knowledge in operation: biosealing
24.
From black box to overview
26.
Maximum returns from ATES system
28.
Deltares software
29.
Deltares organisation
6
9
20