Climate proof water region plan for Essenburg park
Essenburg Park in Rotterdam is a unique undeveloped area in the city centre. At the initiative of local residents, it has been transformed into a multifunctional urban park with space for nature. The development of the park also contributes to Rotterdam’s water management challenge. Water storage capacity in the urban area is limited, while climate change is increasing pressure on the water system. By combining water storage with nature and recreation, the park helps make the city more climate resilient.
The development of the area also presented challenges, such as safeguarding water quality and minimising the maintenance of the park, much of which is carried out by local residents. For the park’s water management plan, calculations were carried out to assess the risks of flooding and water quality problems resulting from climate change. In addition, a range of measures was developed to reduce these risks.
Strategy
The development of Essenburg Park was initiated by local residents and supported by the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Schieland and Krimpenerwaard District Water Board. The project adopted an integrated approach to addressing both flooding and water quality. To support this, the following calculations were carried out:
- (Climate) series calculations in the “SOBEK” water model package, to calculate water levels in the Essenburg park and the surrounding water system;
- Environmental hygiene fractions calculations, to calculate the proportion of overflow water for the future park in a changing climate;
- Ecological key factor calculations, to map out nutrient and organic material stress from the overflows, the light climate, and the role of the water bed in the area.
Subsequently, the main controls (locations at which water quality and waterlogging in the area can be manipulated) were identified. This was used as the basis for optimising the design and water control in the area, and for drawing up a management and maintenance plan.
The calculations have shown that the area’s main vulnerability is related to nutrient stress and environmental hygiene quality, as a result of sewage overflows onto the surrounding water system.
Results
The chosen strategy minimises risks while requiring only minimal interventions in the area. This is achieved by allowing the exchange of water between the park and the surrounding water system only during periods of very extreme rainfall, such as storms that occur, on average, once every ten years or less frequently. These are the situations in which additional water storage capacity is needed. At the same time, overflow water enters the park less frequently.
Only two adjustable hydraulic structures were required to implement this solution. After the water storage area has been used, the park is flushed. In addition, flexible water level management has been introduced. This reduces the amount of water that needs to be admitted while creating better conditions for the development of vegetation in the area. The flexible water level management has been designed to prevent risks to the adjacent railway embankment by using the existing water level as the minimum level.
More information on the Essenburg park residents’ initiative is available on the website: https://www.essenburgpark.nl
Lessons learned from the project
- The collaboration with local residents creates unexpected opportunities for the unconventional substantiation of the water tasking resulting from climate change.
- Water quality is an important theme in the purview of climate adaptation. Both climate change itself and climate adaptation measures may significantly impact (urban) water quality.
Contact persons
Marit Meier
Hoogheemraadschap van Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard
m.meier@hhsk.nl
06 11 14 90 67
Marieke Fennema
Witteveen+Bos
marieke.fennema@witteveenbos.com
06 10 48 40 77