An overview of the

DeltaNet Project
Dr Rhoda Ballinger
Cardiff University / Severn Estuary Partnership
 Introduction

 Why delta regions?

 The DeltaNet Project
 Aims
 Partners
 Approach
 Key themes
 Outputs

 Further aspirations
Why delta regions?
 Delta regions
Urban deltas
 concentration of urban and
economic activities
 polycentric spatial development
hubs
 often related to port / gateway
development
 very dynamic development of
urbanisation, economic
activities, infrastructure, natural
and associated technological
risks
 Rhine-Scheldt, Tagus & Llobregat
 Delta regions

Rural deltas
 More rural, agricultural
use of the high fertile
riverside land

 Examples: Ebre, Donau,

Vistula and Minho
 Delta regions

 Both urban & rural types often characterized by:

 High ecological values & sensitivity
 Issues – common themes I

 Lowlying areas –
vulnerable to physical
coastal change
including:
 Sea level rise & flooding
(anthropogenic & natural)
 Fluvial & sediment
regime modification
(catchment-wide)
 Issues – common themes II

 Significant economic
demands threatening
maintenance of their
special character
 Sustainability = issue
 Issues – common themes III

 Regional development policy

measures often
 inefficient and ineffective
 not integrated

http://deltarevision.com/maps/current-proposed/Delta_central_canal_plans.jpg
 DeltaNet preparation
 Recognised the similar characteristics,
problems & opportunities of delta
regions across Europe

 Realised that delta regions are under-

studied and under-represented in
discussions on coastal management &
governance

 Identified 20 common issues facing delta

regions across Europe & prioritised five
for study within the project
 The DeltaNet Project

 Network of European Delta Regions -

Sustainable Delta Governance
 INTERREG IVc project
 3 years (2010 – 2013)
 €1.2 million
 Lead Partner: Province of East Flanders
 Aims of DeltaNet
 to improve the effectiveness of regional development
policies and related instruments

 to foster improved environmental risk management

through the development of appropriate spatial
planning measures

 to achieve these through exchange of inter-regional

partner experiences & good practice
 i.e. capacity-building & the development of ‘critical friends”
 DeltaNet Partners
9 partners from 7
EU Member
States

Rhine, Meuse and

Scheldt (BE/NL)
Elbe (DE)
Vistula (PL)
Severn (UK)
Tagus (PT)
Ebre (ES)
Llobregat (ES)
Minho (ES/PT)
Danube (RO)

Wide geographical distribution

 DeltaNet Partners

 Range of delta (& estuary) types relating to

 human & physical characteristics
 institutional/governance contexts

 Range of types of partners & perspectives

 academic, local/regional government, ports, non-
government organisations
 Key themes

 Integrated planning and management

 sustainable use of port & port-related areas
 Flood risk & sediment management
 Wetland restoration
 Delta awareness
 public participation and communication
 Approach
For each topic:
 Expert Workshops
including field visits
 Wider conferences -
including politicians
 Follow- up workshops

 To inform the production

of good practice guides,
recommendations &
policy
 Outputs
 Project-wide
 interactive website
 brochures & events

 good practice guides

 policy recommendations for EU

 Delta region:
 wide range of dissemination materials
 work plans
 Further aspirations
 To spread the concept of integrated management and
planning approaches for the delta regions of Europe
 To develop and implement an improved European,
national & regional policy agenda for the sustainable
management of delta regions
 To increase the competitive position of delta regions
 better delta policy will help them to develop clear visions
with a clear focus that can attract economic and innovative
developments
 To create a sustainable network to help stimulate &
develop innovative approaches
 To further develop an international network for the
exchange of experiences & good practice related to
delta regions
 So we’d like to share experiences
with you:
 If you are involved in the planning and
management of delta regions
 If your network has overlapping aims with
DeltaNet
 If you know of / involved with other delta-
based networks
 within /outside Europe
 Thank you
Dr Rhoda C Ballinger
 BallingerRC@Cardiff.ac.uk

DeltaNet Lead Partner

Liesbeth Vernaeve
 liesbeth.vernaeve@rsdelta.eu

DeltaNet website
http://www.rsdelta.org/en/portal/LIVING_ENVIRONMEN
T/DELTANET?p=content

Network of European Delta Regions –

Sustainable Delta Governance