NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS IN BENIN
In early 2018, the Government of the Republic of Benin awarded Jan De Nul a design and build contract to protect a 5-kilometre-long stretch of coastline near the town of Avlékété. The project fits into the government’s plan to turn the local coastal zone, which includes a lagoon, sandspit and beaches, into tourist hotspots. Yet the persistent oceanic swell and chronic erosion required an intervention. This is the perfect starting point for a nature- based structure that offers multiple ecosystem services. Its long-term effectiveness, however, hinges on the support of its end users. Stakeholder engagement was therefore central to the project.
TALKING HEADS
Lara Muller (Invest International) and Pieter van Eijk (Wetlands International), discuss the role investors and NGOs can play in driving demand for nature-based solutions.
SAND MOTOR PROTECTING COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN TOGO AND BENIN
The coastline of Togo and Benin moves between 1 and, in some places, even 10 metres every year. Land inwards, of course. Climate change is the cause: sea level rise leads to coastal erosion and that poses a direct threat to economic activities and life on the West African coast. “The inhabitants of this region depend primarily on fishing and tourism for their incomes and livelihoods. Thanks to this coastal protection project, they can benefit from the opportunities the beach and coastal environment offer them, now and in the future,” says Boskalis regional manager Pieter Boer.
Environmental management and mitigation measures: Addu City project
Dredging and reclamation projects can significantly impact local ecosystems. Negative impacts can be minimised by adopting proper environmental management and mitigation, from preparation to completion phase. Addu City project sets an example of implementing novel construction methodologies and successfully addressing environmental challenges. The project has created over 200 hectares (ha) of climate resilient land for housing and touristic development. Enclosure of footprints, relocation of corals and seagrass (at pilot level) before reclamation process, and monitoring sediment impact in the nearby marine protected areas during dredging and reclamation are exemplary of the management approach applied to ensure minimisation of potential negative environmental impacts.
A new method to economically evaluate adaptations pathways
The consequences of climate change are becoming more apparent and mitigation measures alone are no longer sufficient to prevent its impact. Investing in adaptation measures has become inevitable. However, the uncertain future conditions and the high associated investment costs puts pressure on making the best choice. Adaptive pathway planning is considered as a promising approach to develop flood risk reduction strategies that can adapt to changing circumstances. However, limitations in the existing evaluation methods pose challenges in the choice for the best strategy.
New paper: Integrating dredging in sustainable development
Based on the Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure book, IADC publishes a paper on Integrating dredging in sustainable development which is based on the book.
Integrating dredging in sustainable development
The paper Integrating dredging in sustainable development outlines the philosophy and concepts of sustainability and its application to water infrastructure projects focusing on practical issues for dredging.
Integrating dredging in sustainable development
The International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC) aims to inform the world about the fundamental need for dredging as well as advocating for an industry that makes the world a safer, better and more sustainable place to live. Adapted from the second chapter of the book, Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure (2018), this article presents the concept of sustainability in relation to dredging projects. It describes the approaches and practices that are key to using dredging and dredge material to create more sustainable solutions and infrastructure – a modern way of thinking about dredging.