Improving suitability of urban canals and canalized rivers for transportation, thermal energy extraction and recreation in two European delta cities

Improving suitability of urban canals and canalized rivers for transportation, thermal energy extraction and recreation in two European delta cities

van der Meulen, E. Suzanne (Deltares; Wageningen University & Research)
van de Ven, F.H.M. (TU Delft Water Resources; Deltares)
van Oel, Pieter R. (Wageningen University & Research)
Rijnaarts, Huub H.M. (Wageningen University & Research)
Sutton, Nora B. (Wageningen University & Research)

2022

Canals and canalized rivers form a major part of surface water systems in European delta cities and societal ambitions to use these waters increase. This is the first assessment of how suitability of these waters can improve for three important uses: transportation, thermal energy extraction (TEE) and recreation. We assess suitability with Suitability Indices (SIs) and identify which alterations in the water system are needed to improve SI scores in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Ghent, Belgium. The results show spatial variability in suitability scores. Current suitability for transportation is low (SI score = 1) to excellent (SI score = 4), for TEE fair (SI score = 2) to excellent (SI score = 4), and suitability for recreation is low (SI score = 1). Suitability could improve by enlarging specific waterway dimensions, increasing discharge and clarity, and by enhancing microbiological water quality. The same methodology can be applied to optimize designs for new water bodies and for more water uses.

Bathing
Suitability Index
Thermal energy source
Urban freight transport
Urban water
Waterway

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:ec88dc8b-aff5-4635-8164-57b6a7227eea

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01759-3

0044-7447

Ambio: a journal of the human environment, 52 (1), 195-209

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2022 E. Suzanne van der Meulen, F.H.M. van de Ven, Pieter R. van Oel, Huub H.M. Rijnaarts, Nora B. Sutton