Delta Programme Commissioner visits climate-adaptive city of Breda
On Friday, 12 May Delta Programme Commissioner Wim Kuijken paid a working visit to the city of Breda. The visit was scheduled within the context of the Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation, which is to be presented on Prinsjesdag, the official opening of Parliament in September. Breda is one of the pioneering municipalities in the field of climate-adaptive design, which prompted the Delta Programme Commissioner to visit the city.
He was welcomed by Alderman Paul de Beer. Together, they symbolically kicked off the Oude Vest greening project, a component of the “Breda Spatial Adaptation Incentive”, which involves parking spaces making way for grass and trees. For example, this has generated a footpath and more room for pavement cafés. Furthermore, the greenery has a refreshing effect on hot days, and improves the drainage of rainwater during heavy downpours. Artists from the nearby STEK industrial estate have converted the trees previously removed from the central reserve into picnic tables, which have been placed in the area. The municipal authorities are combining all this with the restoration of the monumental sewer underneath the Oude Vest.
After the opening ceremony, the party, in addition to the Delta Programme Commissioner and the Alderman also comprising entrepreneurs, residents and representatives from the Brabantse Delta district water board and the municipality of Breda, embarked on a bicycle tour around various spatial adaptation projects. One of these projects involves the extension of the Nieuwe Mark, the current inner city harbour. As well as enhancing the appeal of the inner city, the connection between the existing harbour and the canal will also combat heat stress.
The day was rounded off at a 3D drawing which is being made especially for the “Week van Ons Water” [Week of Our Water] project.