Research carried out in the context of the climate adaptation programme Rotterdam Climate Proof (Rotterdam Climate Initiative, 2014) the national research programme Knowledge for Climate (Knowledge for Climate, 2014) and the national Delta Programme (Delta Programme, 2014) provided a detailed insight into the specific vulnerabilities of Rotterdam (highlighting the importance of flood protection). This unique approach to an adaptation strategy, drawing on tailored research carried out by external parties, ensured that Rotterdam’s approach is based on detailed and localised scientific data and has enabled the creation of a targeted and bespoke strategy.
The organisation of urban planning in Rotterdam is horizontally dispersed across different agents within the municipality (and among the tree city divisions responsible for the physical environment) as well as vertically. However the governance of the Rotterdam Adaption Strategy is administered by one municipal body, the RCP. This deliberate placement within one department of the municipality avoids fragmentation in the early years of development and will ultimately mainstream adaptation into existing policy fields across the city (Mees, H & Driessen, P. 2010).
One of the principle priorities of the Rotterdam strategy is multi-layered flood protection based on adaptive construction and design. Examples include ‘flood-proof’ buildings, construction of flood proof public areas, floating communities and ‘building with nature’. The port and other areas of essential infrastructure are prioritised due to the high risk they face and their importance for the operation of the city. Although numerous adaptation measures exist in the city to cope with flooding, this strategy focuses on prevention; storm surge barriers are being optimised, rainwater storage to delay drainage is being created (including green roofs and facades, less paving and more flora in public streets and neighbourhoods, water squares and infiltration zones integrated into the infrastructure). These green and blue adaptation measures demonstrate best practice in the use of hard and soft infrastructure maximising natural flood attenuation mechanisms (Rotterdam Climate Initiative, 2013).
