BwN Slides

1. BUILDING
WITH
NATURE
J.N. SALVADOR DE PAIVA

2. … A PHILOSOPHY …
use the
natural dynamics of the ecosystem
to create
flexible and sustainable
infrastructure
while enhancing nature values

3. GLOBAL NEED FOR COASTAL PROTECTION
40 million people and US$3,000 billion of assets are located in
flood-prone coastal cities today, and these are expected to
increase to 150 million people and $35,000 billion by 2070

4. NOWADAYS
In delta areas, coastal zones or near water ways:
•Almost all land and water is in use or is exploited
•Population is growing (around 80% lives in coastal areas)
•Climate change and sea level rise are causing impacts
•Resources are increasingly scarce

5. NOWADAYS
In delta areas, coastal zones or near water ways:
•Almost all land and water is in use or is exploited
•Population is growing (around 80% lives in coastal areas)
•Climate change and sea level rise are causing impacts
•Resources are increasingly scarce
Need for multifunctional solutions that combine safety,
economy and ecology

6. FLOODING
Coastal flood risks are likely to increase due to:
• increasing storm intensity
• accelerating sea-level rise
• subsidence

7. BEFORE 1995, DUTCH REACTION
BUILT INFRASTRUCTURE

8. CHALLENGES TO CONVENTIONAL
COASTAL ENGINEERING
During centuries, wetlands in river deltas and estuaries were reclaimed
leading to:
loss of storage area for flood waters and therefore storm surges
rise higher and propagate faster and further inland

9. CHALLENGES OF CONVENTIONAL
COASTAL ENGINEERING
• rising maintenance costs
• land subsidence (due to compaction, soil drainage,
extraction of water, gas or oil)
• unwanted ecological side effects (e.g. less space for nature)
• reduced storage capacity
• increased flood water surface elevation
• more frequent emergency operations

10. NEW SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT
FLOODS
New standards 
fail proof, multifunctional
Deltadikes?
Building with nature, sand
engine, oyster reefs
(eco engineering)

11. ECOSYSTEM BASED FLOOD
DEFENCES
• creation or restoration of large coastal ecosystems
• provides a new alternative or add-on to conventional coastal
defences,
• as coastal ecosystems attenuate storm waves and surges,
and accumulate sediments with sea-level rise

12. ECOSYSTEM BASED FLOOD
DEFENCES
Temmerman et al. 2013

13. Why should we do ecosystem-
based flood defenses?
12/8/2022 13

14. ECOSYSTEM-BASED FLOOD
DEFENCES
More sustainable
More cost-effective than conventional coastal engineering
Reduces risk of failure
Adaptable
This ecosystem-based approach is not suitable for all coastal
areas
• locations must have sufficient space between
urbanized areas and the coastline
• These defences tend to require more space than
conventional structures

15. PROVISIONING SERVICES
MATERIAL OR ENERGY OUTPUTS
8 DECEMBER 2022 15
Food
Raw materials
Fresh water
Medicinal resources

16. REGULATING SERVICES
8 DECEMBER 16
Local
climate and
air quality
Carbon
sequestration and
storage
Moderation of
extreme events
Waste-water
treatment
Erosion prevention and
maintenance of soil fertility
Pollination
Biological control

17. HABITAT OR SUPPORTING SERVICES
8 DECEMBER 17
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity

18. CULTURAL SERVICES
8 DECEMBER 18
Recreation and mental and physical health
Tourism
Aesthetic appreciation and inspiration for culture,
art and design
Spiritual experience and sense of place

19. WAVE ATTENUATION
Wave attenuation is the reduction in wave energy or wave
height that occurs when a wave passes through (marsh)
vegetation.
The energy of waves, tides, and currents is attenuated via
frictional drag introduced by vegetation and by bottom friction
in shallow water areas maintained by marshes.
8 DECEMBER 2022 19

20. SHORELINE STABILIZATION
Shoreline stabilization describes the processes by which (salt
marsh) vegetation promotes sediment deposition, increases
marsh elevations through below ground production, and
stabilizes marsh sediments. The seaward salt marsh edge is
linked to marsh elevation as a minimum elevation must be
maintained to prevent marsh plant drowning and subsequent
marsh edge loss. As a result, processes that maintain marsh
elevation can also help maintain marsh shorelines and reduce
erosion. Sediment deposition within marshes accounts for a
large portion of elevation gains on the marsh surface along
with small contributions from below ground processes such as
root production. Subsidence and compaction can also affect
the elevation of the marsh surface, particularly in rapidly
subsiding marshes.
8 DECEMBER 2022 20

21. FLOODWATER ATTENUATION
Floodwater attenuation describes the capacity of (salt) marshes
to reduce flood peaks or durations through storage and
drainage of floodwaters.
It is well known that marshes have a significant influence on
the hydrological cycle both in terms of water quality and water
quantity. However, the majority of this understanding lies in
riparian or inland systems.
8 DECEMBER 2022 21

22. Marshland kwelders
• Foto paesens-moddergat
Effective low cost
low tech method
produces safety
& productive habitats
& more space
Dutch historical 1000yr large scale land reclamation = stabilize
mud coast by growing saltmarshes
Frisian Wadden Sea coast
BWN stands on long term
practical understanding
of natural processes

23. Dutch sandy coast protected long term
with dunes stabilized by vegetation
• Effective low cost
low tech method
• produces safety
• & valuable habitats
• & drinking water
• & more space
• & lots of other stuff
12/8/2022 23

24. System specific approach
12/8/2022 24

25. Large sand
nourishment=>
+Nature
+Tourism
+Safety
Soft solution, coast: Sand-Engine,
upscale proven technology…
• and apply it for multiple benefits…
12/8/2022 25

26. Hybrid solutions in estuary: foreshore
protection with oyster reef
12/8/2022 26
Reduce erosion,
maintain habitats and
protect the dike

27. Hybrid: Safety Buffer Oesterdam (2013),
Dike, sand nourishment and oyster reefs
12/8/2022 27
• Oyster reefs will
• Reduce erosion
• Create habitat
diversity Sand nourishment
Existing dike
Oyster reef

28. Oesterdam case was implemented
in December 2013
12/8/2022 28

29. Hybrid solution in lake system
12/8/2022 29
Houtribdijk, Markermeer side
Present situation…

30. Morph. equilibrium
slope
Expected vegetated
natural foreshore
Sand nourishment
Sand nourishment, provide natural
foreshore with wave attenuation
12/8/2022 30

31. Work in progress..(August 2014)
12/8/2022 31
Willow mats will
prevent beach erosion
until vegetation
appears

32. Hybrid Solution, river system:
Wavereducing forest- dike combination
12/8/2022 32
•>70% reduction of wave height in healthy willow forest
•Deltares/RWS design achieves required 1/2000 safety standards
•now under construction.
Wave reducing
willow-tree plantations
Low cost low tech
Clay dike
will be lower than
traditional design

33. 12/8/2022 33
Two year old willow forest

34. 12/8/2022 34

35. POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS OF
CONVENTIONAL COMPARED WITH
ECOSYSTEM-BASED COASTAL DEFENCE

36. • Vegetatie als golfremmer
Debate:
•Technical feasibility
•Cost-benefit
•Conflict with Natura
2000
Scale 500m wide
??km long
Saltmarsh grows with sea level and maintains stability and safety
Flexible, low tech, low maintenance cost, longshore connectivity
Lake
IJsselmeer
Afsluitdijk
Wadden Sea
Wave reducing
saltmarsh
Super storm stable
vegetated dune
Wadden Sea Soft Safe Dike: saltmarsh/dune/clay dike
hybrid
Existing dike

37. GREEN port Rotterdam
Recovery / enrichments intertidal areas
12/8/2022 37
Gives space for:
Nature
Production
Leisure
Space for
Allowing Tides

38. Rich Levees or Rich Dikes
12/8/2022 38

39. Dike rich applications, Eemshaven -
Delfzijl
12/8/2022 39
Lang krib (dotted, approx 250m) ??
-High Water refuge Arctic terns
- Hatchery, search place
Spijk Star Polder and gaslocatieNature friendly banks + fish passage
- Passage with relief,
- Adaptation zone outside
- Start asphalt cover;
Strandje van Bierum • Leisure
- Recreation / education?
- Beautiful slopes?
Salicornia Habitat
• Open stone structure
• pools
• rubble, boulder clay
Delfzijl; Live Culture, accessibility
• opportunity for recreation
Optimization cribs,
tide pools (crabs)
variation in size and? materials

40. 2006 Rich Dikes concept
•NL national government aims to translate
these concepts in new designs of coastal
defenses. Keep the water!
Play with
material and
sorting
Variation in x
and y directions!

41. Multi-dimensionaal
• Think in 3D

42. Hula’s in the harbour of Rotterdam
(Deltares, HbR, EcoConsult)
Monitoring shows that biomass en
biodiversity is enhanced a lot when
compared to smooth structures.
Wave action in a harbour can be a problem
that is reduced by using the hanging hula
structures.

43. Applications: underwater forests
harbors

44. Artist Impression ‘Palenbos’ (RWS-
DZH)

45. Application: Floating wavereducing marsh, Houtrib
sinking marsh for Zeeburg, EVZ (NMIJ, gem Amsterdam)
We need an improved floating design!

46. Other Examples
from Europe and
the rest of the
world
12/8/2022 46

47. 47 18 November 2010
From one levee to multifunctional
water defense landscapes
Tidal Economy
Landscape
Coastal Laboratory
Landscape
Combining safety, ecology and economy

48. 48 18 November 2010
From line defence to coastal
zone
Combined Functions in Coastal Defence Zones
Salt marshes as climate buffers
silting up with sea-level rise

49. 49 18 November 2010
• As it is now ….
Abandoned ferry harbour
ComCoast Pilot Perkpolder
• As it will be …
Naturally silting up
saltmarsh (75 ha) as
climate buffer
High mound (12 ha) with
small village
Wave overtopping resistant
area (100 ha) with housing on
mounds
Combining safety, ecology and economy
ComCoast Pilot Perkpolder (2009-2017)

50. From traditional design to ecodesign
in partnership with the contractor for Maasvlakte 2

52. MANGROVE RESTAURATION
FOR COASTAL PROTECTION

53. 8 DECEMBER 2022 53

54. SALT MARSH RESTAURATION
IN EUROPE FOR COASTAL
PROTECTION AND
RECRATIONAL PURPOSES

55. SALT MARSH RESTAURATION
IN EUROPE

56. ARTIFICIAL REEFS AS WAVE
BREAKERS AND MORE

57. OYSTER REEF STABILIZING SEDIMENT

58. ARTIFICIAL REEFS AS WAVE
BREAKERS AND MORE

59. ARTIFICIAL REEFS AS WAVE
BREAKERS AND MORE

60. A winning proposal in the Post Sandy Rebuild by Design competition

61. Northern Pilot was funded with 150 m$ in RBD competition

62. Meadowlands area was hit hard by Sandy

63. Sandy exposed many
vulnerabilities

64. In the Meadowlands

65. Complex planning issues

66. Complex governance issues

68. In co-creation with stakeholders

69. Toward an integrated regional plan

70. New Meadowlands consists of
The Meadowband
+
The Meadowpark

71. Regional scale of plan delivers optimal result:
the whole is more than the sum of the parts

72. Nature: Restore, connect, enhance…

73. Solving the pluvial problems with storm water storage

74. Our concept of the Meadowband, promote redevelopment of
urban functions
Berm provides
safety and
accessibility
Mixed use
residential,
logistics
developments

75. Wetland will be a working part of flood safe design = Dutch
Nature Based Flood Defense concepts
Elevate with SLR
by sediment accretion
Wave reduction by
shallows and vegetation

76. Local environment leads to adapted designs

77. Tidal, saline, brackish, fresh Meadowpark protects
Meadowband:
Building safety with nature

78. Enhanced nature values in attractive landscapes..

79. that attract people…

80. that want to live there…

81. Connected to Hoboken & Manhattan
Positioned near millions of citizens
accessible as REGIONAL PARK
Manhattan
Hoboken

82. The New Meadowlands, forward to implementation!

83. 8 december 2022

84. 8 december 2022

85. • Increasing Space
leads to
Adaptation of
safe BWN
solution
Hard> Hybrid> soft
8 december 2022

86. IMPACTS OF DREDGING
8 DECEMBER 2022 86
1.Degradation of the life in the sediment
Dredging results in the short term degradation of animals, vegetation and microbial communities that live in
the dredged sediment. This reduces the estuary's capacity for nutrient cycling, primary production and
habitat provision and can have flow on effects up the food web. Though these effects tend to be short lived,
in some cases they may trigger long-term changes. (Larkum and West, 1990; Lewis et al, 2001; Thrush
and Dayton, 2002; Lohrer and Wertz, 2003; da Silva et al, 2004; Waycott et al, 2004; Ohimain et al; 2005)
2.Erosion, turbidity, suffocation
Changes in channel profile caused by dredging can increase tidal area, wave height and water velocity,
resulting in bank erosion. Eroding banks threaten mangroves and other mudbank communitites and can
lead to increased turbidity. Suspended sediment in the water column blocks light, reducing benthic primary
productivity and inhibits the ability of benthic plants to recover from impacts of dredging. (Pringle, 1989;
Larkum and West, 1990; Lewis et al, 2001; Rasheed and Balchand; 2001; Lohrer and Wertz, 2003;
Sampson et al, 2005)
3.Release of contaminants by resuspension
Dredging exposes anaerobic layers of sediment, potentially disturbing and remobilising toxic sediments,
releasing contaminants. This has implications for water quality. (Linkov et al, 2001; Thibodeaux and
Duckworth, 2001; Van Den Berg, 2001; Nayar et al, 2004)
4.Dredge spoil deposits
Dredge spoil needs to be deposited somewhere, though this could be deemed habitat creation, it can
smother existing habitats and frequently contains contaminants which often move and bioaccumulate
through the food web. The impacts of dredge spoil disposal can range from short term to long term (Linkov
et al, 2001; Smith and Rule, 2001; National Ocean Disposal Guidelines for Dredged Material, 2002;
Fredette and French, 2004)
5.Changes to tidal range and wave action can result in mangrove encroachment into saltmarsh areas
(Saintilin and Williams, 1999)

87. LIVING MACHINE
• The principles used in a Living Machine are the same as
those of helophyte filters.
• In a Living Machine, part of the biological treatment
takes place in a greenhouse. The greenhouse serves to
protect the subtropical plants that make up part of the
treatment process from the cold and so to increase
their effectiveness.
• The protective atmosphere in the greenhouse means
that other plants and animals can also be incorporated
into the treatment process, such as tropical plants,
zooplankton, fish, vegetables, etcetera.
(Pötz et al., 1998)
87

88. The first LIVING MACHINE was realised in the Findhorn Foundation, a
Scottish living and working community, in 1955. Today, this wastewater treatment
system, which is based on natural principles, treats the wastewater produced by
the community’s approximately 250 residents. Canadian biologist John Todd
developed this patented treatment method, which is currently in use in many
different places around the world. 88

89. The Ark, The New Alchemy Institute, Cape Cod, US,
late 1970s 89

90. LIVING MACHINE
• The principles used in a Living Machine are the same as
those of helophyte filters.
• In a Living Machine, part of the biological treatment
takes place in a greenhouse. The greenhouse serves to
protect the subtropical plants that make up part of the
treatment process from the cold and so to increase
their effectiveness.
• The protective atmosphere in the greenhouse means
that other plants and animals can also be incorporated
into the treatment process, such as tropical plants,
zooplankton, fish, vegetables, etcetera.
(Pötz et al., 1998)
90

91. The first LIVING MACHINE was realised in the Findhorn Foundation, a
Scottish living and working community, in 1955. Today, this wastewater treatment
system, which is based on natural principles, treats the wastewater produced by
the community’s approximately 250 residents. Canadian biologist John Todd
developed this patented treatment method, which is currently in use in many
different places around the world. 91

92. The Ark, The New Alchemy Institute, Cape Cod, US,
late 1970s 92

93. The Ark, The New Alchemy Institute, Cape Cod, US,
late 1970s 93

94. 94

95. 95

96. 8 DECEMBER 2022 96
www.livingmachines.com

97. http://www.organicawater.com
97

98. 8 DECEMBER 2022 98

99. 8 DECEMBER 2022 99

100. PHYTOREMEDIATION
“The efficient use of plants to remove, detoxify or
immobilise environmental contaminants in a growth
matrix (soil, water or sediments) through the natural
biological, chemical or physical activities and processes of
the plants”.
The plants can be subsequently harvested, processed and
disposed.
http://www.unep.or.jp/Ietc/Publications/Freshwater/FMS
2/1.asp
100

101. 8 DECEMBER 2022 101
ALGAE POWERED HOUSE by ARUP

102. 8 DECEMBER 2022 102