Spatial and temporal scales

Aim

The system of study in this assignment comprises the region “Kanaalzone Zeeuws-Vlaanderen” (between the Western Scheldt Estuary, shores of the channel Ghent – Terneuzen, Braakman creek recreational area, and to the South crossing the Dutch/Belgian border (including Isabella and Leopold canals). The aims of the study are threefold:

Setting criteria for robustness so that we can test future changes against these criteria. What is really robust and why?
Definition of an ideal Robust Water System for the region using the criteria defined under 1 and the input of strategic developments (Visie Waterbeheer 2050, SAZ+, Vitale Kanaalzone, Nieuwe Sluis)
To sketch an outline of the future of our Robust Water System (timeframe 2030-2040) starting from the current situation in order to determine how resilient it really is. This requires: an update of the project map of the region to the extent as if all described project possibilities have already been executed. This requires further detailing of the projects and expected outcome.
Translating the ideal resilient future to measures needed today (projection).
- Analyse what this means to currently desired interventions in the region.
- Determine which gaps still exist in relation to our ambitions and jointly define what is still required (and by when) to complete the desired picture.

Resilience to water stress can be related to various spatial scales, for instance:

Local users optimize their processes and water usage, resulting in water savings;
Industries and households / local communities may introduce technology for (internal) water recycling;
Multi-sourcing: other local sources of fresh water may be used, for instance effluents of nearby wastewater treatment plants. Another option is storage(buffering) and transport of redundant fresh water from precipitation. These steps involve various stakeholders and adaptation of spatial planning.

Resilience to water stress also has various temporal scales, for instance:

Internal changes with few stakeholder can be done within several months or years;
Changes involving spatial planning or even cross-border collaborations are likely to take more than a decade;
Water stress might increase as a result of climate change and increased salinization in the course of decades.