Inauguration of Jeroen Rijke

14 June 2017

Prior to the inauguration the Science-Policy Debate 'Flood Protection Asset Management' will be held

The Netherlands is a world leader in the development of integrated solutions (smart combinations of ‘grey’ and ‘green’) whereby flood protection and the quality of the environment are inextricably linked. The projects recently completed as part of the ‘Room for the River’ programme (Ruimte voor de Rivier) are a perfect example of this.

However, the Netherlands is facing an enormous challenge in the years ahead. As part of the Flood Protection Programme, billions have been invested in reinforcing our flood defences. Through the Delta programme, long-term strategies are being developed and the projects are monitored in order to better anticipate changing circumstances and as part of various regional initiatives, work is taking place to capitalise on the untapped potential of the river landscape for environmental development.

The HAN University of Applied Sciences and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences have taken the initiative to form a collaborative professorship in Sustainable River Management (SRM), in respect of which they combine their knowledge about civil engineering, land and water management, (aquatic) ecology, and development studies.

The SRM professorship focuses on ensuring that sustainable river management is practicable and on developing the associated competences for professionals in the professional field. In doing so, this contributes to the development of knowledge and competences of students, tutors and professionals in the professional field. Through practical research, this then helps to educate professionals from different disciplines to work together, so they are better equipped to continue to shape and implement river management appropriately in the future.

The Science-Policy Debate 'Flood Protection Asset Management' will be held prior to the inauguration. The Department of Public Works and Waterways (Rijkswaterstaat - RWS) is organising this symposium in conjunction with the professorship as part of the Interreg North Sea Region project FAIR.

We look forward to welcoming you to the symposium and/or to the inauguration of Dr. ir. Jeroen Rijke on the 14^th of June 2017.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. ing. Diana de Jong
Executive Board, HAN University of Applied Sciences

Drs. Peter van Dongen
Executive Board, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences

Programme

Van Hall Larenstein, Larensteinselaan 26a in Velp

Science Policy Debate on Flood Protection Asset Management

10h00 – 10h05 Welcome

10h05 – 10h20 About the FAIR Project Remco Schrijver, Project Leader FAIR, RWS

10h20 – 10h50 A need for asset management Jenne van de Velde, Top Advisor Asset Management, RWS

10h50 – 12h00 International perspectives Paul Sayers (UK), Prof. Chris Zevenbergen (Asia) and Kristin Gilroy (US)

12h00 – 13h00 Lunch

13h00 – 13h30 Interactive discussion I: Saving Cost Hosted by Frank den Heijer, Deltares

13h30 – 14h00 Interactive discussion II: Adding value (multiple functions) Hosted by Prof. Peter Fröhle, TU Hamburg-Harburg

14h00 – 14h15 Coffee Break

14h15 – 14h45 Interactive discussion III: Optimising lifespans Hosted by Wouter Jan Klerk, Deltares

14h45 – 15h00 Reflection Erik Kraaij, Director of National Flood Protection Programme (HWBP)

Inauguration of Jeroen Rijke as a Professor in Sustainable River Management

15h30 – 15h35 Welcome Peter van Dongen, Chairman of the Executive Board, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences

15h35 – 15h50 Introduction Henk Nieboer, Director of Ecoshape

15h50 – 16h00 Formal inauguration Diana de Jong, Member of the Executive Board, HAN University of Applied Sciences

16h00 – 16h30 Inaugural address Jeroen Rijke, Professor in Sustainable River Management

16h30 – 16h35 Formal close Peter van Dongen

16h35 – 18h00 Reception