Exposure Course on Water Management in the Netherlands for Water Managers from the U.S.

Author: Dipesh Dey

Duration: May 25-May 29
Organized by: Florida Earth Foundation, Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management; and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education.

Activities in which USF IRES Team took part:

May 25 Monday

9:00 Welcome and introduction by Dr. Jan Luijendijk.
9:30 Introduction to Water Management in the Netherlands by Prof. Bart Schultz.

May 26 Tuesday

Visits to Rotterdam Municipality and Harbour

7:45 Departure from IHE by bus.
9:00 Arrival at FutureLand for a visit to the Maasvlakte 2 project hosted by the Port of Rotterdam, Project organization Maasvlakte 2.
9:30 Presentation on "Maasvlakte 2: from vision to reality, hydraulic aspects" by Mr. Jan Konter
10:00 Tour to the construction site of the Maasvlakte 2 guided by Mr. Konter and Mrs. A. van Ham
11:00 Departure for visit at the municipality of Rotterdam
11:30 Arrival at the Rotterdam Information Center; Presentation on Rotterdam Climate Proof (RCP) Programme and Water Safety by Mr. Nick van Barneveld; Presentation about green roofs by Mr. Jos Streng.
13:00 Lunch offered by municipality of Rotterdam.
14:00 - 15:00 Rotterdam Public Library.
15:00 - 16:00 Bus tour to Maestlantkering at Hoek van Holland.
16:00 Visit the Storm Surge Barrier the Maestlantkering" at the information center of Keringhuis; Movie on the construction, presentation and a guided tour.
17:30 - 18:30 Return to Delft through the Westland region.

May 27 Wednesday

Zeeland Province

8:00 Departure from UNESCO-IHE by bus.
10:00 Arrival at the Neeltje Jans, the Information Center at the Storm Surge Barrier Oosterschelde.
10:00 - 10:30 Coffee break and welcome by Dr. Tjeerd Blauw.
10:30 - 11:30 Introduction on Delta Works and movie on the construction of the barrier.
11:30 - 12:30 Guided tour to the inside of the barrier.
12:30 - 13:30 Lunch and presentations by Dr. Tjeerd de Blauw and Durk Jan Lagendijk.
13:30 Departure for Wlacheren Island
14:15 - 15:00 Movie on the Ducth Coastal Defence System and introduction by Mr. Bert Kortsmit, Project Manager.
15:00 - 17:00 Visit to the costal defence system activities at Zoutelande and Nolle-Westduin (Weak Links Project).
17:30 Dinner at the Gevangetoren at the boulevard in Vlissingen; Presentation by Mrs. Wilma Brouwer, member of the Water Board Zeewse Eilanden and responsible for International Affairs.
20:00 Departure for Delft by bus.

May 28 Thrusday

USF IRES Student delegation meeting at the Internation Water House, The Hague; Presentation b Mrs. Floor Boerwinki about the Netherland Water Partnership (NWP); Presentations on NGOs IRC and AKVO.