A Shift Toward Building with Nature in the Dredging and Port Development Industries: Managerial Implications for Projects in or Near Natura 2000 Areas

Abstract

Building with Nature is a new approach to designing water infrastructure, one that seeks to realize socioeconomic project goals in harmony with the environment. The Dutch dredging industry is promoting its application in the Netherlands, but similar concepts are emerging internationally. The Working with Nature concept has been developed under the auspices of the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure, Engineering with Nature by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Flanders Bays 2100 by a group of Belgian dredging companies and international consultants. The research discussed in this article focuses on the feasibility of implementing the Building with Nature approach in the context of EU Natura 2000 governance. The initial expectation of the industry was that Natura 2000 regulations would obstruct innovative Building with Nature attempts. The empirical evidence points to a shift toward Building with Nature have taken place on the governance and project levels, and the goals of Natura 2000 and Building with Nature converging in practice. Using specific project-level variables identified by researchers, guidance for project development in Natura 2000 areas was proposed. We conclude by discussing the implications of the research results for the dredging industry dealing with Natura 2000 regulations in Europe and similar overarching nature regulations elsewhere.

Empirical Assessment Tool for Bathymetry, Flow Velocity and Salinity in Estuaries Based on Tidal Amplitude and Remotely-Sensed Imagery

“…The output can indicate which areas satisfy these conditions (e.g., suitable flow conditions) and which areas can be transformed into habitat by disposal of dredged sediment. For example, in the Western Scheldt, dredged sediment has been disposed on the edges of tidal flats to maintain intertidal area [68], which aids in achieving European Union Natura 2000 regulations [69]. This approach requires bathymetry, which may not be available at locations where new fairways or harbours are planned.…”

Development of a Predictive Tool to Support Environmentally Sustainable Management in Port Basins

“…Its development represents a consistent implementation of the C-CEMS observing system, increasing the available products/services that support the European directives requirements, and the "building with nature" approach [12].…”

Ecological considerations in constructing marine infrastructure: The Falmouth cruise terminal development, Jamaica

“…The preparation of the project design consisted of three elements: a technical feasibility study, an environmental impact assessment, and the design of the port at historic Falmouth. Research for these three elements was delegated to Mott McDonald, 7 , TEMN 8 and IDEA, respectively. In this process local and global consultancy and constructor networks were brought together, mediated by PAJ.…”

“…The process of complementing or substituting conventional engineering interventions with ecological dynamics requires input of ecological knowledge, but also influences the process of knowledge creation and the roles of actors in knowledge processes [6]. In addition, recent studies show that in ecodynamic development and design projects developers have to deal with new uncertainties in project planning [7] and have to adjust their strategies in dealing with environmental legislation [8]. The application of these new approaches is furthermore influenced by and influencing governance arrangements.…”