Rotterdam in development

R O T T E R D A M I N D E V E L O P M E N T | 2 0 1 8 THE RESILIENCE STRATEGY Last year Rotterdam was invited to join the 100 Resilient Cities network, and given this challenge: “Rotterdam, with 80% of its land below sea level, aims to be 100% climate-proof by 2025.” The Maasstad has already been working on climate change adaptation for 10 years. The concrete results of this Rotterdam Adaptation Strategy (RAS) include laying water storage tanks that take many forms, such as that of a ‘water square’: the Benthemplein. The green roofs and vertical gardens in the Zomerhofkwartier also help store peak rainfall. Resilience is more than just climate change adaptation. Another target is ‘World port city for clean and reliable energy’, which includes cyber security, and the city also aims to achieve a robust and resilient underground infrastructure. Integration of underground spaces in aboveground urban developments, as well as better coordination in general between both these infrastructures, is necessary to guarantee supply and to limit risk. The city’s resilience also stems from its residents, entrepreneurs, public organisations and knowledge institutions; from these actors’ coalitions and networks and the initiatives they take. More information: www.resilientrotterdam.nl and www.100resilientcities.org/cities/rotterdam. realistic to expect to achieve this target by 2030 – you couldn’t even find the professionals to do that. But if opportunities arise to accelerate the process, we will definitely take advantage of them.” LEGISLATION “We need everyone and everything on board if we want to reach the target,” the two managers agree. They are referring to the port and businesses, corporations, energy- and network companies, citizens, schools, the province and also the central government. As far as the government is concerned, it would help if they took care of the legislation side, such as the option to make the designation of transition areas more obligatory. “In the meantime, we are not staying still in Rotterdam. We are working hard to build the business case we hope to use next year to make the first neighbourhood gas-free.” Lydia Hameeteman, Energy Transition Project Manager 121