3 / 36
DELTARES, SEPTEMBER 2015
3
L
ess - and slower - traffic,
buildings that are climate- and
energy-neutral, and smart
water management and
greening: a sustainable city
makes for pleasant surroundings, and
creates space for new forms of working,
housing, shopping and night life. It
also reduces heat stress and carbon
emissions. Deltares, TNO and Utrecht
University will be teaming up with
the Utrecht city authorities and the
Jaarbeurs exhibition and convention
centre to transform the heart of Utrecht
into an iconic example of sustainable
redevelopment. The project is part of
the European Climate-KIC programme:
Smart Sustainable Districts. In addition
to Utrecht, the innovations will also be
developed and tested in London, Berlin
and Copenhagen. For more information:
www.climate-kic.org.REDUCING THE
COSTS OF FLAWS IN
FOUNDATION PILES
New measurement techniques for
foundation piles are expected to
provide more precise information
about whether a foundation pile
complies with all requirements.
That cuts costs and it can also
reduce delays in the construction
process. Twenty piles with flaws
have been installed at a testing
field at the Deltares locations
in Delft in order to test the new
measurement techniques. The
initial results show that including
glass-fibre cables in the concrete
is a simple and cheap way of
identifying variations in the
diameter of piles. Work is also
continuing on the development of
a promising acoustic technique.
HEART OF UTRECHT
ICONIC SUSTAINABLE REDEVELOPMENT
FILM ABOUT THE
INNOVATIVE DESIGN
OF ADAPTIVE CITIES
Empty and ageing properties,
local flooding: pressure on cities is
increasing, and building without
too much disruption for the
locality has become a challenge.
Designing a city to reduce heat
stress and freshwater shortages
can be a source of headaches
for administrators and policy
consultants. Fortunately, solutions
are available. They include intro
ducing structure, establishing
a clear picture of what is in the
ground, and measures such as
underground water storage. The
animated film available using this
QR code explains the role that
Deltares can play in the innovative
design of an adaptive city.
IMAGE: PETER HELLEBRAND
DELTARES
IN BRIEF