Impact Project Adaptation Agenda for the areas lying outside the dykes in Dordrecht and Rotterdam
People that live and work outside dykes are not protected by those dykes. They are often unaware that they live where they do at their own risk, and that any material damage or loss resulting from flooding will be borne by them alone. This is the case in the Historical Harbour Area in Dordrecht and in Noordereiland in Rotterdam, both of which lie outside the protection of dykes.
The Rhine Estuary-Drechtsteden region, which includes both areas, contains many locations outside the protection of dikes. Within the Delta Programme for Rhine Estuary-Drechtsteden (DPRD), an adaptation agenda was developed to improve flood safety in these areas, both now and in the future.
An important part of this approach was improving communication between municipalities and residents. People living outside the dikes need to understand the risks of flooding, the possible consequences and the measures they can take themselves to prevent or reduce damage. Municipalities play an important role in providing this information. The impact project Adaptation Agenda for Areas Outside the Dikes in Dordrecht and Rotterdam focused on two pilot areas: the Historical Harbour Area in Dordrecht and the Noordereiland in Rotterdam.
Results
Between November 2015 and September 2016, the collaboration partners within the Rhine Estuary-Drechtsteden region worked on a communication approach within an interactive project. In building block sessions held with involved policy and communication advisors, the local situation, the current work method and the communication needs within the municipalities of Rotterdam and Dordrecht were explored. This led to practical recommendations and three applicable categories with communication building blocks:
- Building blocks to “get one’s own house in order” (preconditions for good communication)
- Appropriate communication messages
- Appropriate communication means
The recommendations and building blocks are also applicable for other municipalities with areas lying outside the dykes and are summarised in the report "Impact Project Adaptation Agenda for the areas lying outside the dykes in Dordrecht and Rotterdam".
The project helped shape communication about flooding in areas outside the dikes in Dordrecht and Rotterdam. The aim was to ensure that residents had access to the most important information about flood risks and possible impacts. During the so-called “cold phase”, when there is no immediate threat, various communication tools were used to raise awareness among residents.
For the “warm phase”, when immediate action is required, the municipalities developed location-specific communication tools. They also further developed thematic messages about topics such as the interaction between flooding and groundwater.
Contact person
Paul Bezemer
Gemeente Dordrecht
+31(0)78 - 770 4831
P.Bezemer@dordrecht.nl