Executive Summary:  This project will use the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) to support stakeholders in creating a sustainability plan for a regional section of a river delta (Euregion Rhein-Waal).  The learnings from this process will then be shared internationally to help other regions facing the same pressures.  In 2009 the project has been launched on the Dutch side of the border (“Toward a Sustainable, Weathy Waal River”) ; German partners are preparing to join in the process later this year (2010).
 
Background:

• River deltas are some of the world’s most densely populated areas with huge potential for natural resources and biodiversity.
• River deltas are also the most threatened areas caused by short-term exploitation, politics, ignorance of natural processes and conflicting interests between stakeholders.

Purpose: To develop and apply a co-design process with stakeholders that leads to sustainable use of natural resources, land use and water management in river deltas.
 
FSSD Integration:  Backcasting from sustainability principles of the FSSD will be used to provide background rigour for the stakeholder dialogues and land-use planning discussions.

Implications for Managers:  This project will synergize present sustainability-directed projects within the Euregion and stimulate inter-territorial cooperation between communities, regional and national authorities making for easier management and less time spent managing politics.

Implications for Researchers: This project will contribute to a worldwide network of researchers studying river deltas and will provide them with access to knowledge and competence within many disciplines, sectors, and across cultures.

Methods:  Using an iterative strategy, the sustainability principles from the FSSD will be applied to Euregion Rhein-Waal in vision and project development and in scenario planning (a transboundary section between Germany and The Netherlands that share the Rhine and Waal river basins).  This work is divided into four main areas:

1. Train the trainers program,
2. Early Adopters program with municipalities, businesses and NGO's,
3. Practical cases (eg. shipping, eco tourisim, sustaiable energy, sustainable flood adapted housing, land use of floodplains and surface water pollution) worked on by multi stakeholder Communities of Practice, and
4. Sharing knowledge and learning experiences in a Community of Practice on social learning for Sustainable Development.

 
 
Project Contact:
Professor Toine Smits   a.smits@science.ru.nl
 
Project Team:
Prof Toine Smits    Prof. Dr.
Kirsten Kuipers    PhD-Student
Reinier de Nooij    Dr.
Wouter de Groot    Prof. Dr.
Michael Eisinger    Dr.
Christian Feld    Dr
Wolfgang Stark    Prof.Dr.
Peter Scholten    PhD-student
Dorri te Boekhorst    PhD-Student