Strategy to raise climate awareness in Arnhem

How has the strategy been developed?

The municipality of Arnhem first discussed the ambitions of the strategy with an initial group of professional partners, such as housing corporations, project developers, research institutes, and network organisations. In addition, it has consulted groups of interested residents. Concurrently with the strategy, the municipality also drew up an implementation agenda. The strategy and the implementation agenda form part of the same document: Green, efficiently, and collectively – Arnhem Climate Adaptation Strategy 2020-2030.

What are Arnhem’s main vulnerabilities?

Arnhem is situated in a transitional area between the Veluwe and the Betuwe regions, as a result of which urban vulnerabilities may differ widely. On account of its differences in elevation, the northern part of the city is particularly vulnerable to waterlogging. Furthermore, some locations in this part of Arnhem are additionally vulnerable to drought, due to their sandy soil. In the southern part of the city, high water levels in the river Rhine pose a particular risk.

How does Arnhem intend to address climate adaptation?

The bulk of the built-up area in Arnhem is privately owned. Collaboration and shared responsibilities are, therefore, pivotal in the climate adaptation strategy. In addition, Arnhem needs to build a large number of houses in the years ahead. The densification tasking calls for more pavement in the city; the limited space available will have to accommodate an increased number of houses. This does not tally well with the need to climate-proof Arnhem, which requires smart, innovative, and integrated plans. That is why Arnhem is striving to gear the climate tasking to area developments and other major taskings. An ambition that stands out in this strategy is that up to 2030, Arnhem intends to replace 10 per cent of the existing pavement with greenery and water. In addition to combating heat and waterlogging, de-paving and greening will also enhance liveability and biodiversity in the city.

What are the ambitions in terms of waterlogging?

Wherever possible, Arnhem aims to prevent problems caused by extreme downpours. To this end, it intends to take the following measures as a minimum:

• In new housing projects, all the downspouts will be disconnected from the sewer system;
• In renovation projects, downspouts will be disconnected from the sewer system wherever possible. This requires a minimum of 40 millilitres of rainwater to be processed at individual premises;
• In the public space, 90 per cent of the downspouts will be disconnected from the sewer system;
• Any additional building or paving projects must not result in an increase in waterlogging.

What are the ambitions in terms of heat?

In order to combat the negative impact of heat on humans, most of the attention is being focused on vulnerable categories of residents: they are running the highest risk of heat-related health issues. For that reason, the municipality is concentrating on childcare facilities, nursing homes, independently living senior citizens, chronically ill and handicapped people. One of the main ambitions is the realisation of a Cool Network, comprising shaded routes and cool spots. This is how Arnhem aims to ensure that busy locations in rural areas remain habitable. Arnhem is already using the heat attention map to determine which measures will be implemented where: for example, which locations require reduction of perceived temperatures on hot days? And where are the cool spots? The municipality aims to preserve these spots and keep them open, in order to allow a cooling breeze to develop.

What are the ambitions in terms of drought?

Arnhem intends to prevent drought damage to greenery wherever possible. The northern part of the city is particularly prone to drought on account of its sandy soil. In addition, the municipality aims to explore the impact of drought on water quality, and prevent such issues as blue-green algae and botulism. It also intends to gain more insight into how drought is impacting foundations. The latter is a particular issue in Arnhem-South. Furthermore, due to the increasing drought and the growing population, the demand for drinking water is rising. The municipality is supporting the campaign initiated by drinking water companies, calling on consumers to save drinking water.

What are the ambitions in terms of flood risk management?

Responsibility for flood risk management is vested with Rijkswaterstaat [the executive branch of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management] and with the district water boards. The municipality of Arnhem is tying in with the ambitions that these parties have set down in terms of flood risk management.

What will be given priority?

The municipality intends to first tackle the areas in which climate change entails multiple negative consequences. Most of these focus areas are situated in Arnhem-North. Several locations in this part of the city are prone to both heat and waterlogging, or can be instrumental in preventing waterlogging in lower-lying parts of the city. At such locations, the municipality plans to roll out several specific projects. With this “area-specific approach”, it intends to make headway fast and encourage other parties to take action.

Everyone is joining in

The ambitions constitute the starting point for the real issue: expediting climate adaptation in order to climate-proof Arnhem. To achieve this goal, everyone needs to pitch in and participate. To garner commitment among professional partners, the municipality has drawn up a Declaration of Intent. By signing this declaration, the partners are demonstrating their willingness to realise the ambitions collectively, each on the basis of its own possibilities. The municipality is also involving residents in the ambitions, via the Arnhem Climate-proof Platform and via “neighbourhood greening agendas”: plans that are drawn up for each neighbourhood, in collaboration with local residents, to green and thus climate-proof the neighbourhood.

Lessons to be learned

Something that has worked well is the Declaration of Intent and thus the appeal to all those involved to join forces in climate-proofing the city. We can all do something, each of us harnessing our own possibilities and opportunities.

Contact person

Hans van Ammers
Hans.van.Ammers@arnhem.nl