Background information

The program aims at improving tools for design and evaluation of adaptation strategies with a special focus on spatial planning and cross cutting issues. The program focuses on three core elements:

1. tools for formulation of the adaptation task, based on climate scenarios and economic development
2. tools for development and visualization of adaptation strategies in general and in particular related to hotspots and case study areas of KvK
3. evaluation and monitoring tools for assessing adaptation strategies in terms of various indicators such as costs and benefits, side effects, equity issues, efficiency and temporal and spatial scales

The program elaborates on results of previous research (NOP, BSIK, EU programs) and extends the analysis in order to make further progress in the scientific domain and in order to apply the results in the context of the case studies and hotspots of KvK in close consultation and collaboration with stakeholders. The program will contribute to the ongoing planning process in the Netherlands at various levels, such as the Delta Programme and current Regional Strategic Visions (Structuurvisies), the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) and the execution of national policies. Read the summary (pdf), the scientific aspects (pdf) and the societal aspects (pdf) of this research.

The work packages

• WP1: Work package 1 will improve the spatial modeling and the socioeconomic scenarios as such that they can be better used at the regional level. This makes it possible to analyse the adaptation options at the local and regional level in the context of well defined socio-economic scenarios. This is essential for the applications of adaptation options in the hotspots and case study areas (pdf)
• WP2: The work package offers improved assessment of flood risks and the disturbing effects of floods on regions, enabling policy makers to anticipate on increases in flood risk associated with climate change. Notably post-flood effects on real estate, recovery assessment and insurance issues are vital policy issues for spatial planning, insurance and public finance (pdf)
• WP3: WP3 makes results from all work packages available for use in interactive design and evaluation of adaptation strategies. Starting point is quantitative spatial information from the "Climate atlas". Other inputs are the results from spatial and economic modeling (WP1 and 2), damage estimates (WP2) and risk perception (WP5). Results from spatial valuation (WP6) and Visualization (WP4) are fed back into the design process to improve the adaptation strategies (pdf)
• WP4: This WP will provide visualization tools and guidelines, based on desk top study and as results from case studies via the consultation with stakeholders and policymakers. The visualization tools will assist in communication and to obtain the best solutions (mitigation and adaptation), particularly for spatial aspects and cross sectoral issues, e.g. nature conservation, agriculture, tourism and water management and their spatial implications, with explicit linkages to themes 1-5 of KfC (pdf)
• WP5: WP5 focuses on improving and climate proofing the freshwater system in the Netherlands under climate change. It will allow for an integrated analysis that can deal with the opportunities and the needs of the various regions in the Netherlands and will combine a hydrological and economic approach (pdf)
• WP6: This work package focuses on cost benefit analysis and other evaluation tools in the context of the optimal timing of policy measures. Results can be directly applied in the assessment of adaptation options and in the temporal and spatial planning of adaptation, based on a profound assessment of the various options and considering the perspectives of stakeholders and policymakers (pdf)
• WP7: Results will be applied in the near future for monitoring adaptation in the Netherlands based on an appropriate strategy and well-designed and selected indicators (pdf)

Hotspots and other stakeholders involved
The need for interactive design is now widely recognized and the expertise of stakeholders (including stakeholders such as the business sector; the various economic sectors of the economy, e.g. agriculture, industry, services and transportation; local, regional and national policymakers, consumers and households) is indispensable to design and assess adaptation options that can be applied and implemented.

Hotspot Haaglanden is directly involved in WP4, while the Hoogheemraadschap Delfland and Deltares are part of the new Delft 3Di project. Four hotspots (dry rural areas, major rivers, Haaglanden region and shallow waters and peat meadow areas) and several provinces and municipalities have expressed interest in support. WP6 will be directly linked to stakeholders through the hotspot Haaglanden. The emphasis in Work Package 7 will be on the development of evaluation methods and indicators at the request of the national Programme on Adaptation and Spatial Planning (ARK).

In the first phase of the project, opportunities to include monitoring and evaluation methods and indicators related to the Delta Programme will be explored. Also insurance companies are involved, such as Aon Re.