Innovative and Diverse Ideas for Climate Adaptation

Competition organisers asked for original, practical, and scientifically-supported ideas for responding to increasing threats facing delta cities and their inhabitants. Entries came from across a number of disciplines, including spatial planning, infrastructure and buildings, governance, economics and of course hydraulics and water management. Many entries also showed creativity through bridging disciplines and highlighting original examples. All over the world people are seeking practical, innovative, sustainable solutions to adapt to the impacts of climate change and facilitate sustainable development of delta cities. The relevance of this topic is reflected by competition entries from students spanning five continents.

Dr. Sybe Schaap, chairman of the Union of Water Boards in the Netherlands and professor at the VU University Amsterdam, chairs the DeltaCompetition 2010 Jury. He is joined by Prof. Pier Vellinga, professor at Wageningen University and Director of the Knowledge for Climate Programme in the Netherlands, Prof. Hans Opschoor, Professor of Sustainable Development Economics at the Institute of Social Studies and Professor in Environmental Economics at the VU University Amsterdam, and Mr. Tom Smit, Director of Royal Haskoning's Spatial Development Division. The jurors will select three winning entries who will each receive USD3,000 and be invited to present their ideas to an international audience of decision-makers and experts during the Deltas in Times of Climate Change conference, to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 29th September to 1st October 2010. The top ten submissions will be published in a book by the competition organisers.

The DeltaCompetition focuses on climate change impact areas that require adaptive solutions, and includes such aspects as water, nature, mobility, agriculture, energy, health, housing and recreation. The competition is open to PhD, Master and Bachelor students throughout the world, who may submit solutions individually or as teams. This year solutions were submitted through the website Brainrack, an online platform for the generation of innovative ideas.

Two previous DeltaCompetitions, held in 2006 and 2008 and organised by Royal Haskoning, sparked new debates and dialogue between academics and private industry. Building on these successes, Royal Haskoning has partnered with the City of Rotterdam and the Delta Alliance for a 2010 DeltaCompetition that will draw further attention to the challenges shared by delta cities worldwide.