Programme of the National Delta Congress 2016

Delta Parade
Throughout the day, the Delta Parade will be the central meeting place. It is focused on the elaboration and implementation of the Delta Decisions and preferential strategies set out in the Delta Programme. It comprises meeting points for each of the eight regions and three generic themes in the Delta Programme, as well as presentation booths of the organisations, programmes and projects associated with the Delta Programme.

Plenary opening session

• Welcome by day chair Inge Diepman and host, Delta Programme Commissioner Wim Kuijken.
• Opening of the Delta Congress by Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment.
• Keynote address on the significance of civic participation for contemporary governance, by Kim Putters, Director of the Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) and extraordinary professor of Policy and Governance of Healthcare in the Changing Welfare State, Erasmus University Rotterdam.
• Film on the progress of the Delta Programme.
• Peter Veld, consultant at ABDTOPconsult, will speak about the findings and recommendations of the “Evaluation of the Delta Act” commission. Subsequently, Delta Programme Commissioner Wim Kuijken will give his views.
• Urban development expert Riek Bakker will present her perspective on the spatial domain and the Delta Programme in a spoken column.
• This year’s congress will once again turn the spotlight on a special guest or project.

Parallel sessions

• Governance | Working together on an adaptive Delta Programme
  The Delta Programme is evolving more and more from policy development to implementation. What does this entail for the collaboration between the partners involved? We want to hang on to this unique and effective collaboration. But how do we ensure that the parties involved will keep an open mind on shared ownership in the implementation, alongside their own tasks and responsibilities? Furthermore, the long-term nature of the Delta Programme calls for a balance between staying on track and flexibility, and for the possibility of adjusting the course. The Delta Programme 2017 presents a first elaboration of the manner in which adaptive delta management is substantiated. This session will feature a plenary and interactive discussion of collaboration and adaptivity, based on a concrete case.
• Spatial adaptation | Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation: Yes, we can!
  The pluvial flooding of last spring and summer has made the urgency of spatial adaptation even more obvious. A Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation is being prepared. In this session, we will take a look ahead to what is needed to persuade the parties involved to incorporate climate-proof and water-resilient planning into their policies and actions by no later than 2020. We will enter into a dialogue with administrators and the business community on the experience gained. How can we capitalise on knowledge and experience already amassed in order to expand our clout? The parties that have already embarked on projects will present lessons and experiences that may be an inspiration to you.
• Flood risk management | Ready for the start of a new assessment round?
  2017 will be an important year when it comes to flood risk management. The assessment round of the primary flood defence systems that will start in 2017 will be based on the new standards. What is the state of affairs? During the assessment, how will we deal with prioritisation and funding flows? How will the flood defence system managers proceed? How will the private sector prepare for this exercise? This session will focus on the preparations for the assessment. Various parties will explain their roles and answer any questions you may have. During the session, we will establish a connection with the island of Marken, where an evacuation drill is taking place at that time.
• Freshwater | Working on the freshwater supply in the delta. Care to weigh in?
  Various freshwater measures have been tackled in the last year, including Smart Water Management, Water Availability, Climate Adaptation Pilots, implementation measures such as widening of water courses, et cetera. In this session we will bring you up to date on the progress made and how we have coordinated the government efforts with the area processes, innovations, and investments. Stakeholders will explain the steps they are taking to achieve the freshwater supply goals, and with whom they are “wielding the shovel”. We would like to hear your views on how we can jointly flesh out the freshwater management of the future. During the session, we will give some brief feedback on salinisation.

Lunch

Parallel sessions

• Governance | The Delta community opening its doors
  The transition to implementation has expanded the circle of stakeholders in the Delta Programme. How do we ensure that the new partners also have the opportunity to participate as they should? Do we actually hear and understand each other properly? By referring to a number of concrete cases, we will demonstrate how the Delta Programme is faced with increasing participation from the business community, the energetic society in the form of societal organisations, and citizens. We not only seek ways to properly involve citizens in the Delta Programme projects, but also to explore how citizens can contribute to achieving the goals of the Delta Programme.
• Spatial adaptation | Pilots in the spotlight
  Adaptive pilots and projects have been set up to gain know-how and experience in the field of spatial adaptation. Various parties are dealing with themes such as stress tests, vital and vulnerable functions, et cetera. This session will shine the spotlight on a few projects. What opportunities and learning points are there for achieving water-resilient and climate-proof spatial planning? We will discuss opportunities, challenges, and the required safeguarding with you. What does this entail for new projects, tools, and measures? Together we will explore how this may inspire your choices regarding policy and actions, and the Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation that is being prepared.
• Flood risk management | Linkage: so many wishes, so many opportunities
  If a dyke is scheduled for maintenance or repairs, we explore the opportunities for linkage with other projects. Wherever possible, we try to link the flood risk management tasking to other spatial wishes and ambitions, such as Nature, habitation, and recreation. This brings new, effective, and sustainable solutions within reach. In this session, we will highlight these aspects and ask you to help think about linkage opportunities.
• Freshwater | Working on the freshwater supply in the delta. Will you help us think?
  Various partners are working on sustainable and resilient freshwater management. What is in store for you and us? In this session, we will present several cases, such as the IJsselmeer Water Level Ordinance, the Delta Plan for Elevated Sandy Soils, a Water Availability pilot, and small-scale supply. We invite you to share your thoughts. During the session, we will give some brief feedback on the Delta approach to Water Quality and Freshwater Supply.