Symposium on ‘Water Management and Spatial Planning’

Working on an optimal integration of water tasks in rural development

The Government Service for Land and Water Management (DLG) and the Dutch Association of Regional Water Authorities (UvW) are organizing the symposium ‘Water management & Spatial Planning’ on the 13th of October in the Watermuseum in Arnhem. The central theme of this gathering will be ‘Optimal integration of water functions in the spatial planning of rural areas’, in the context of the development of nature and recreation areas and ensuring agricultural sustainability. International experts will share their vision of the relationship between water management and spatial planning in the 13th edition of the NethCID symposium.

The cohesive nature of the different uses of an area is increasingly acknowledged in the process of area development. An array of stakeholders such as inhabitants, governments, entrepreneurs and organized interest groups has to rely on each other to define and realize important socio-economic and spatial tasks. Water management is one of these. A key issue is the integration of the planning and management of the water system into the planning and management of an area as a whole. During the seminar we will analyze the balancing of different interests and the mutual reconciliation in spatial planning and highlight any notable similarities and differences.

Improvement interaction in rural development
The goal of this symposium is to name the necessary conditions that lead to a process of integration and reconciliation in rural development, between the private and public parties involved, the (intended) uses of a rural area and the financing of (re)development and management. During the program, the chairman Peter Glas, also chairman of the Regional Water Authority will take a closer look at interesting contrasts in approach and balancing functions and interests in different countries and regions. Of course this is all with the end goal in mind of learning from each other about water catchments, water storage and water drainage and simultaneously improving the quality of space, safety, recreation, the natural environment and or agriculture. You will find more information on www.nethCID2009.nl where you can apply from this moment on (price € 149 p.p.).

NethCID2009
The Dutch Committee of the International Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), the Nethcid, has facilitated the symposium. ICID is an organization of professionals in the area of water management with members in 70 countries. This year the international symposium will be hosted and organized by the Government Service for Land and Water Management (DLG) and the Dutch Association of Regional Water Authorities (UvW).

For 75 years the Government Service for Land and Water Management has been the obvious green partner in rural development. The Government Service for Land and Water Management works with partners, inhabitants, governments and interested parties on realizing the optimal spatial planning of green areas. Spatial planning and management of the water system plays a key role.

The Dutch Association of Regional Water Authorities aims to promote the interests of Regional Water Authorities (‘waterschappen’) at a national and international level. All of the 26 Regional Water Authorities are member of the Association. The main task of the Association is safeguarding the interests of its members with regard to third parties, more particularly the national government and parliament. This function becomes apparent, for example, in consultations with the ministries and Members of Parliament, in comments on policy documents and memorandums, in the participation of advisory and consultative bodies, and so on.

For more information or for an application to NethCID2009 you can contact Xander de Bruine, project manager NethCID2009, tel. number: 0031 6 51522405 or email address: xander@projectplatforms.com