Objectifying Building with Nature strategies towards scale-resolving policies

Journal Article (2021)
Author(s)

Mindert B. de Vries (Deltares, Ecoshape, Van Hall Larenstein)

Mark Van Koningsveld (TU Delft - Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering, Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors, Ecoshape)

SGJ Aarninkhof (Ecoshape, TU Delft - Hydraulic Engineering)

H.J. De Vriend (TU Delft - Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering, Ecoshape)

Research Group
Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering
Copyright
© 2021 Mindert de Vries, M. van Koningsveld, S.G.J. Aarninkhof, H.J. de Vriend
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.47982/rius.7.128
More Info
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Publication Year
2021
Language
English
Copyright
© 2021 Mindert de Vries, M. van Koningsveld, S.G.J. Aarninkhof, H.J. de Vriend
Research Group
Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering
Volume number
7
Pages (from-to)
51-72
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

By definition, Building with Nature solutions utilise services provided by the natural system and/or provide new opportunities to that system. As a consequence, such solutions are sensitive to the status of, and interact with the surrounding system. A thorough understanding of the ambient natural system is therefore necessary to meet the required specifications and to realise the potential interactions with that system. In order to be adopted beyond the pilot scale, the potential impact of multiple BwN solutions on the natural and societal systems of a region need to be established. This requires a ‘reality check’ of the effectiveness of multiple, regional-scale applications in terms of social and environmental costs and benefits. Reality checking will help establish the upscaling potential of a certain BwN measure when addressing a larger-scale issue. Conversely, it might reveal to what extent specific smaller-scale measures are suitable in light of larger regional-scale issues. This paper presents a stepwise method to approach a reality check on BwN solutions, based on the Frame of Reference method described in a companion paper (de Vries et al., 2021), and illustrates its use by two example cases. The examples show that a successful pilot project is not always a guarantee of wider applicability and that a broader application may involve dilemmas concerning environment, policy and legislation.