Technical and value obstacles faced by Building with Nature flood defence solutions

Abstract

Building with Nature (BwN) is a relatively novel way of thinking for flood protection. Unlike traditional flood protection solutions that are poised to bring forces of nature to a halt, the BwN’s philosophy is to use natural dynamic processes for engineering advantage as a protection against natural disasters and events. Yet, the BwN design philosophy faces obstacles in terms of technical efficacy and evaluating added benefits when compared to traditional flood defence solutions.

This research sets out to understand how these obstacles faced by the BwN design philosophy play a role in the consideration of a BwN flood defence solution during project development. This is done by relating the assessment of the added benefits to five discussion fields, namely Costs, Function, Policy, Responsibility and Support. In doing so it can be determined which discussion fields play an important part in embracing a BwN design based on its added benefits while considering its technical uncertainties. This research limits itself to a case study of the Houtribdijk reinforcement project where both traditional and BwN flood defence solutions were employed. Furthermore, this research limits itself to the project phase where flood defence options are still considered.

This research found that although BwN flood defence project face technical uncertainties and discussions on efficacy, there is willingness to embrace a BwN solution when involved parties can agree on shared responsibilities. The curators of a flood defence project were found to be least willing to accept a technically uncertain design as they are accountable should it fail. The curators’ concern regarding their responsibilities can be mitigated and they can be more open to alternative solution if they are ensured of proper research and shared accountability when other values are destroyed in favour of flood protection. It was also found that the effect on stakeholders in financing and taking share of the responsibilities also have a positive effect on embracement of a BwN solution when the discussions on efficacy have not yet been settled.