Ecological shoreline management

Learning targets

If your work involves the requirements of the Dutch Water Framework Directive (KRW), you know all too well that it’s all hands on deck with the shorelines in our country. Thousands of kilometers do not meet the target conditions, and water quality is lagging behind. The causes are diverse; design is important, as are management and maintenance. What do you need to become a knowledgeable discussion partner?

In the Ecological Shoreline Management course, you will evaluate various shorelines in the field in terms of design, site factors, and management practices. You will study the development of shorelines and the relationships between management, water quality, and nature development. You will learn to think about what you want to achieve with the shoreline and formulate strategies for success through focused evaluation and the exchange of knowledge and experiences.

After completing the Ecological Shoreline Management course, you will understand that good communication between office staff, field staff, and contractors is essential in the design, management, and maintenance of a shoreline.

The following topics will be covered:

• ecological functioning of the water system
• site factors
• legislation, KRW, and objectives
• process from goals, design, and construction to management
• flexible possibilities of ecological management
• aligning goals with management and maintenance
• monitoring
• nature-based solutions
• evaluation of designed shorelines and adjusting maintenance
• keys to success

After completing this course, you will have the following knowledge & skills:

• design, construction, and management of shorelines
• the importance of maintenance and management to achieve goals
• success factors of shorelines to consider in design, construction, and management

Program

Shorelines and the Water System

• natural functioning of shorelines: “the reference”
• dutch waters: how do they work in the Netherlands?
• comparing natural situations versus constructed shorelines
• goals for nature-friendly shorelines
• cycling excursion: comparing traditional and nature-friendly shorelines

From Goal to Design and Layout

• objectives
• target conditions, interests, and site factors
• introduction to excursion in urban areas
• reviewing and analyzing project designs based on site factors

Maintenance as a Success Factor for Shorelines

• (im)possibilities of maintenance
• shared interests, shared maintenance?
• development versus maintenance
• redevelopment projects: analyzing success factors and adjustments
• current topic: building with nature project

Personal input

At World Water Academy, everything revolves around both knowledge and practice. Therefore, we expect each participant to bring their own work experiences to the course. What challenges are you facing? And what experiences can you share so that others can learn from them?

Target group

The Ecological Shoreline Management course is intended for maintenance staff, supervisors, foremen, planners, policy officers, and project leaders involved in improving water quality through the use of nature-friendly shorelines and nature-based solutions.

Learning Together

Our group-based approach creates an enthusiastic learning environment where you can engage in valuable discussions about the content and your work situation.

Entry Level

You should have an educational background at the MBO/HBO (vocational or higher education) level.