The Delta Programme governance approach, The Netherlands by Peter Glas

Submitted by Ase Johannessen | published 16th Mar 2022 | last updated 31st Mar 2022
Peter Glas presenting the Delta Program
Aerial view of river IJssel, Zwolle, Overijssel Province, the Netherlands.

The river IJssel, in the Netherlands. The Dutch Delta is highly urbanized, and a lot of effort needs to be invested in multiple use of space, collaboration and dialogue between different actors and interests. This is an ongoing process, often named as "Polderen" from the Dutch word "Polder", land reclaimed from the sea. Although it is perceived as slowing down processes at least initially, it is also seen as an adaptive capacity.

Introduction

 

Peter Glas, the Delta Programme Commissioner is the government official responsible for the Delta Programme. He is here presenting the Delta Programme and its unique approach especially with a focus on governance at the WAC Webinar on Deltas on the 24th of Feb 2022. 

The most important feature is the innovative collaborative arrangements, involving various layers of administration and different stakeholders. That includes central government, municipalities, water authorities, the public, businesses, knowledge institutes, and NGOs. It provides in such way adaptive capacity to be resilient while living in a highly urbanised Delta and the environmental dynamic environment.  

While all levels play their part, and the Netherlands is a decentralised state, the national program has an important role to trigger and coordinate collaborative action in consultation with the other levels.  The integrating efforts at national level, provides a strategic and long term direction.

This article will be updated with links to other information related to the Delta Program.

Further resources

Network

delta 18 - climate adaptation.

Adaptation in Deltas

Deltas are particularly vulnerable to water-related climate risks. Delta networks and communities have identified several key topics to work on including subsidence, food security, and sea level rise. 
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