Strategy for climate adaptation Amsterdam

4 February, 2020, Amsterdam 1 Foreword

The effects of climate change Such types of extreme weather have a major impact on future-proof and climate-proof, with enough green areas. our day-to-day lives. Houses and roads may be flooded. They must also cooperate with the national government, are becoming increasingly Alternatively, low water levels during periods of extreme the water boards, and the provincial authorities to ensure drought may cause some buildings’ foundations to rot. that the city is water-safe and robust. Housing corporations visible in the city. In recent Heatwaves can involve health risks for young children and must make their housing stock more sustainable, the years, there have been many the elderly, while extended periods of hot weather can business community must develop new technologies, damage roads and bridges. In addition, waterlogging and and residents themselves can adapt their own living cases of waterlogging caused drought can adversely affect our green areas and animal environment to boost water retention and to counter heat life. and drought. Mature trees take up as much as 1,500 litres by heavy downpours. However, of water per day, which then evaporates from their leaves Climate change is a fact of life, so we have to make every in hot weather. However, even green roofs or green façades there have also been more effort to stop it from getting worse. We need to be more can help to cool the city by a degree or two. heatwaves and periods of circumspect about our use of the Earth’s resources. Above all, we have to understand that we do not control nature, We’ve already launched some great innovative projects drought. The summer of 2018 but that we are part of it. So it’s up to us to ensure that our in the city, involving blue-green roofs or artificial grass city is well prepared for the climate changes to come. The pitches that can store water. There are also many different featured an extremely dry city has to find ways of discharging water, or absorbing it, neighbourhood-based projects aimed at creating green period, characterized by images enabling it to evaporate again, if necessary. Heat-stress gardens and small squares. In this way, they are helping to studies tend to spotlight cities like Amsterdam, as brick counteract soil sealing. The goal of this climate adaptation of parched parks with scorched and stone structures tend to store and retain heat. This strategy is twofold. Firstly, it is to ensure that there is effect causes increased heat in areas of ongoing home coherence between these types of project, and secondly it areas of grass, desiccated construction and in places where gardens are being paved is to help them expand. This will enable us to complete this over. On hot days, major cities tend to be 5°C warmer than massive task together, while ensuring that we are ready for shrubs, and dead trees. I, like other areas. the upcoming climate changes. many others in Amsterdam, was We have to act now, every one of us, where we can. Laurens Ivens extremely concerned about this. Together with project developers, the City of Amsterdam Responsible executive councillor for Public Spaces and must see to it that new and existing neighbourhoods are Green Areas

2 Summary

The climate is changing. What measures are we already taking? People have been living and working in Amsterdam for Several projects aimed at helping to make the city climate- almost 750 years. Throughout those 750 years, our city proof have already been launched. For instance, ‘Rainproof’ has always adapted to any challenges that threatened its has been a springboard for all kinds of projects (both public status as a safe, healthy, and desirable place to live. These and private) designed to make the city more resistant to challenges haven’t gone away. We are still facing them extremely heavy downpours. The City routinely takes the today, and we will continue to do so in the future. Extreme rainproofing principle into account in management and weather is one such challenge. Together with everyone maintenance work in the public space. This will make it else in the world, we are exhausting the earth’s natural possible to resolve ‘rainwater bottlenecks’ (which are at ecosystems. Slowly but surely we are beginning to feel greater risk of waterlogging and water damage) more the impact of this. According to the Royal Netherlands quickly. Then there is the Hoosbui (Heavy Downpour) Meteorological Institute’s KNMI’14 climate scenarios, emergency protocol. This roadmap enables the Waternet we can expect higher temperatures in the future, as well water company’s crisis management team to respond as more rapidly rising sea levels, wetter winters, heavier to incidents promptly, in the event of extremely heavy downpours, and the risk of drier summers. We are facing downpours. Efforts are also being made to limit flood major challenges, so how do we keep our city liveable? risks, and to spotlight the themes of heat and drought to How do we deal with rising sea levels? How do we create a greater extent. For example, people are experimenting water buffering capacity and more areas of greenery at a with blue-green roofs and projects in the public space. time when increasing use is being made of the subsurface? In addition, the Municipal Health Department has put a We must prepare Amsterdam for climate change to the heatwave plan in place to mitigate any health risks. best of our ability. This is a matter of urgency, because climate change is already underway. The City of Amsterdam The impact of climate change has become clearly is already working with the water boards, the business perceptible in recent years. Climate change has always community, and community initiatives to make Amsterdam seemed so remote. However, events like the heatwaves climate-proof. However, much more needs to be done if we of 2018 and 2019 make us all too aware that it is getting are to be properly prepared for the climate of the future. closer by the day. Further increases in the pace and impact

3 of climate change are expected. In line with the Delta Programme on Spatial Adaptation, an initial estimate has been made of the challenges and risks facing Amsterdam, both now and in the future. This estimate is based on currently available stress tests and on interviews with official representatives of the municipal organization and the water boards.

Heat: due to climate change, we are experiencing ever more summery and tropical days. Heat can cause a range of problems in areas such as health, quality of life, energy demand, labour productivity, biodiversity, infrastructure (such as bridges and networks, including the power grid), and the quality of surface water.

Drought: deficient rainfall, coupled with evaporation, can result in drought. Drought involves various risks, such as damage step – together with everyone else in Amsterdam – towards to urban green spaces and to the local Floods: thanks to the measures that have making our city safe, green, liveable, and attractive. The ecology, problems with foundations, peat already been put in place, there is only a aim is to make climate adaptation the ‘new normal’. oxidation, a decline in water (including swimming water) minor risk of flooding. However, floods This means that, in relevant developments and projects quality, salinization, soil subsidence, and – as a result – can have an enormous impact. This could throughout the city, climate adaptation must feature as a potential subsidence and concomitant damage to pipes involve a degree of social disruption as matter of course. Efforts to make our city more climate- and network cables. the city (or parts of it) become inaccessible both to the proof and more resilient will require a new approach to public and to the emergency and support services; failure urban design and management. This strategy is the first Waterlogging: extremely heavy downpours of vital functions; damage to infrastructure and buildings; step in this direction. can severely curb and hamper public life, protracted recovery times; and economic damage. The goal is for the city to be more resistant to heat. In especially where water is not locally retained, particular, the aim is to prevent and limit any damage and or where it cannot rapidly infiltrate or run What do we aim to achieve? nuisance caused by heat as much as possible, in both the off. The risks involved include flooded Our aspiration is to ensure that, by 2050, Amsterdam is physical and social domains. The goal is for the city to be streets and damage to paved areas, resulting in reduced as ready as it can be to deal with the changing climate. more resistant to long periods of drought. In particular, accessibility; the death of trees and plants in parks; damage Climate adaptation is essential if we are to ensure that the aim is to prevent damage to buildings, green areas, to basements and buildings; failure of vital functions such Amsterdam retains its value in physical, social, and infrastructure, water, and dikes as much as possible, as the power supply; and decline in surface water quality. economic terms. It is an opportunity to take a significant and to limit any inconvenience. The goal is to prevent

4 extremely heavy downpours from causing damage and Together and in dialogue with the city: The implementation agenda will provide a more detailed inconvenience as much as possible, while at the same time Everyone in Amsterdam can do their bit to specification, prioritization, and phase definition. using rainwater to help sustain our attractive, comfortable, help make our city climate-proof. We will and liveable city. The goal is to reduce the risk of flooding continue to actively involve trailblazers, but What is the significance of this strategy? in the city, while complementing the responsibilities of we will also focus on motivated parties that We, at the City of Amsterdam, together with the other government bodies and administrative levels, and need support and advice. three water boards (Amstel, Gooi en Vecht, Hollands cooperating with them. Another goal is to achieve impact Noorderkwartier en Rijnland), are using the climate mitigation in the event of floods, both through spatial Support and encouragement for promising adaptation strategy to establish the long-term objective planning and by means of crisis management. projects: pilot projects designed to test of a climate-proof city. By 2050, we aim to be as well specific climate-adaptive solutions or prepared as possible for anything that the changing What else needs to be done? measures in practice must be launched climate might have in store for us. By adopting an iterative If we are to be better prepared for climate change, and supported, to encourage technical approach, we are able to process new information about we need to scale up and standardize those existing innovation. In all current and ongoing activities, the changing climate. In this way, we know what to expect activities (including pilot projects) that have proved to consideration must be given to climate-adaptive measures. and how to respond to it. We have not yet drawn up any be successful, and to launch new, innovative initiatives. These must be included wherever possible, and their new plans on the basis of this strategy. However, it is the Specific actions linked to the four climate challenges (heat, performance monitored. first step in that direction. This strategy is a prelude to our drought, waterlogging, and flooding) are required. These dialogue with the city, because we simply cannot tackle this could involve bringing forward work to tackle rainwater Knowledge sharing and communication: task alone. Climate adaptation is something that concerns bottlenecks, managing the public space in a future-proof we need to create awareness of climate the entire city. Our goal for 2020 is to jointly draw up an way, and linking spatial adaptation and crisis management. change and climate adaptation, and to take implementation agenda for the upcoming years. This will collective ownership of these issues. This will set out specific plans for making Amsterdam climate-proof. In addition, we need to specify the following pathways to involve sharing knowledge about the risks In the meantime, we will continue to push ahead with our potential solutions. posed to the city and about the opportunities involved. current projects, initiatives, and programmes. Work on these individual components will continue, in parallel to the Structural integration in operations and Research and monitoring: no one fully development of a broad-based approach.

1 management: making climate adaptation understands how the climate is changing, 2 3 4 5 the ‘new normal’ in relevant projects and so we are constantly dealing with new 6 activities will require a change in working information. We have adopted an iterative practices. As new information becomes approach which, as the name suggests, available and new standards are established, these must be involves cyclical, ongoing development. This means that we integrated into work processes. are better prepared, in terms of what to expect and how to respond to it. In addition to researching and monitoring climate change, we explore and monitor potential solutions.

5 Content

1 Introduction 7 5 Organization 31

1.1 The climate is changing. What does that mean for Amsterdam? 8 6 List of sources 34 1.2 What is the significance of this strategy? 9 1.3 Political, urban, national, and international context 10 1.4 Reading guide 11 Annexes 37

2 What measures are we already taking? 12 Annex I  Context 38 Annex II Challenge facing the city 39 2.1 Knowledge and experience per climate theme 13 Challenge posed by heat 40 2.2 What are we currently doing per climate theme? 14 Challenge posed by drought 43 2.3 Amsterdam in action 17 Challenge posed by waterlogging 45 2.4 Visualizing the task 18 Challenge posed by flood risks 47 Task coherence 49

3 What do we aim to achieve? 21

3.1 Amsterdam as fully prepared as possible by 2050 22 3.2 What are our goals per climate theme? 23

4 What else needs to be done? 24 4.1 The actions required to create the ‘new normal’ 25 4.2 Requisite actions per climate theme 28

6 Introduction S1 7 Climate scenarios In 2018, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) conducted a study into the impact of extreme weather on the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Extreme rainfall now occurs two to five times more often than it did in the 1950s, and this trend will continue. By 2050, it will occur up to five times as often as it does today, and by 2085 it will happen ten times as often. Not only will it occur more often, it will also be heavier. The 1.1 The climate is changing. scenarios for heat stress and drought reflect the same What does that mean for sort of picture. The KNMI’s study for the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has been summarized in a short video Amsterdam? clip, which can be viewed via this link: www.knmi.nl/ over-het-knmi/nieuws/klimaatverandering-in-de-regio- amsterdam. The KNMI has announced that, in around People have been living and working in Amsterdam for almost 2023, it will make new information available concerning 750 years. Throughout those 750 years, our city has always the impact of extreme weather in the Netherlands. This adapted to any challenges that threatened its status as a will be based on the global assessment report of the safe, healthy, and desirable place to live. These challenges Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), haven’t gone away. We are still facing them today, and we will which is expected in 2021. continue to do so in the future.

The climate is changing Extreme weather is just one of the challenges facing us now Cloudburst 28 July, 2014 and in the future. Together with everyone else in the world, During the cloudburst that occurred on 28 July, we are exhausting the earth’s natural ecosystems and slowly 2014, so much rain fell in such a short period of time but surely we are beginning to feel the impact of this. Higher that parts of the A10 motorway were closed, flights destined for Schiphol were cancelled, and streets were temperatures, sea levels that are rising faster than ever, wetter transformed into canals. The Waternet water company winters, heavier downpours, and the risk of drier summers. and the fire brigade were inundated with emergency According to the KNMI’14 climate scenarios, these are calls about flooded basements, living rooms, stations, realities that we in the Netherlands will be facing in the future. and streets. Many people in Amsterdam suffered It is becoming increasingly important to anticipate the flood personal hardship as a result of this extremely heavy Record-breaking temperatures were recorded during the risk, too (City of Amsterdam et al. 2014, Deltares 2018 and downpour. Across the country, the damage to private heatwave at the end of July 2019. In this period, according 2019). The sea level has risen by 20 cm in the past 130 years homes amounted to almost 70 million euros. to Statistics Netherlands, there were around 400 more (KNMI 2019), and the last five years were the warmest ever deaths in the Netherlands than during an average summer recorded on Earth. Climate change is already underway and week. Numerous trees flourish in Amsterdam’s city parks we cannot avoid it. Based on the warmest KNMI scenario, Tangible impact of climate change and along its streets. These play an important part in Amsterdam will experience maximum temperatures of 42°C Global warming will trigger a rapid increase in total rainfall, keeping the city cool, while also providing adequate levels by 2050, and 43.4°C by 2085. The corresponding night-time and we will increasingly have to deal with heavy peak of water retention. At the same time, the usage pressure on temperatures will be 24.5°C and 26°C.1. downpours. One such example is the cloudburst that parks is increasing, while climate change in itself is already occurred on 28 July 2014 (see box). The year 2018 was imposing a major burden. These parks are regularly flooded, actually extremely dry and hot. The 2018 drought killed due to increasingly frequent and ever more intense peak 1 The Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS) many young plants, and 2019 saw an outbreak of the oak downpours, coupled with soil subsidence. This is disastrous has extrapolated the temperature recorded on the hottest day in 2019 processionary caterpillar that was more severe than ever. for green spaces (see Annex II for further details). (40.4°C) to 2050 and 2085, based on the KNMI’s climate scenarios.

8 Faster and more intense than expected to fend for themselves. Some people in Amsterdam will be By jointly tackling climate adaptation, we are not only In recent years, we have experienced a steep learning able to do so – others won’t. There is a risk of exacerbated helping to keep Amsterdam and its residents safe, but also curve on the topic of climate change. As a result, we not inequality, bringing with it the threat of social disruption. keeping it liveable, thus ensuring that our city remains a been idle. Several projects aimed at helping to make the Accordingly, we must act now, and prepare for the climate pleasant place in which to live. Thus, climate adaptation is city climate-proof have already been launched. However, of the future. Doing nothing is not an option. an opportunity to make our city greener and healthier. the true impact of climate change has only become clearly perceptible in recent years. To some extent, it has taken Shared responsibility the world – including Amsterdam – by surprise. Climate Climate adaptation is not the sole responsibility of the 1.2 What is the significance of this change has always seemed so remote. However, events like City of Amsterdam. It is also up to the water boards, the strategy? the heatwaves of 2018 and 2019 make us all too aware that provincial authorities, Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate it is getting closer by the day. Further increases in the pace General for Public Works and Water Management), the and impact of climate change are expected. So we need to business community, civil society organizations, and We, at the City of Amsterdam, together with the change in step with this, and make sure that Amsterdam is residents to take preparatory measures to make the city as three water boards (Amstel, Gooi en Vecht, Hollands well prepared for what is to come. climate-proof as possible. To this end, we must prioritize Noorderkwartier en Rijnland), are using the climate climate adaptation and work closely together, while adaptation strategy to establish the long-term objective Doing nothing is not an option encouraging and facilitating third-party innovations and of a climate-proof city. Climate adaptation is essential We are not sure about the exact timing, scope and other programmes. to ensure that Amsterdam retains its value in physical, magnitude of the impacts of global warming, but we do social, and economic terms. It is an opportunity to know that the potential risks are substantial. So we need take a significant step – together with everyone else in to make the city flexible in the future, without being bound Amsterdam – towards making our city safe, green, liveable, by any specific climate prediction. We need to prepare for and attractive. We have not yet drawn up any new plans on a gradually changing climate, as well as for the extreme the basis of this strategy. However, it is the first step in that What is climate adaptation exactly? weather and emergencies that may accompany it. direction. As the City of Amsterdam, we are committed to In relevant developments and projects, climate adaptation doing our bit to combat climate change. At the same On 28 May, 2019, the City of Amsterdam Executive must feature as a matter of course. This applies both to time, we must also prepare the city for the inevitable adopted the administrative instruction on climate consequences. Climate adaptation is, therefore, a fact public and private spaces. To this end, solid assessments adaptation, with the aim of developing a coherent and of life. Climate adaptation means adapting societies of the costs and risks involved are essential. If we were and areas to changes in the climate. The goal is to city-wide approach to climate adaptation in Amsterdam. to limit our responses to crisis management alone, rather reduce their vulnerability to climate change, or to take The strategy for climate adaptation in Amsterdam has than adapting the city, this would pose incalculable risks to advantage of any opportunities that a changing climate been developed in line with the national Delta Plan on the quality of life in Amsterdam and to the city’s economy, might offer. Thus, climate adaptation is not the same Spatial Adaptation. It represents the conclusion of the within the foreseeable future. Houses can subside, and thing as mitigation. It is not about preventing climate first of three phases. Amsterdam is a working region for power grids, water supplies, or auxiliary networks can fail. change, but about adapting to it. spatial adaptation, in which the authorities jointly shape In situations like these, residents and companies will have the agreements set out in the Delta Plan. The strategy

9 Amsterdam has been living with water for centuries In Amsterdam, urban expansion and water management introduction of the ground lease system in 1896 that have gone hand in hand for centuries. There was no the city authorities launched comprehensive schemes to other choice, as the city is sited in a location that is not raise the level of the ground (for new-build properties). exactly ideal. Following the construction of the dam in Dredging spoil was initially used for this purpose, in the river Amstel, steps were taken to enable people to neighbourhoods such as the Vogelbuurt and the Van der live and work in what was essentially a swamp. During the Pekbuurt. However, since about 1925, clean sand (free of 16th century, people started building houses from brick clay or silt) has been used for the construction of districts instead of wood. This led to the widespread use of pine such as the Rivierenbuurt. and spruce piles as foundations, to stop these buildings sinking into the mud. The rings of canals were constructed In the mid-20th century, new residential areas were in the 17th century, in response to the massive increase in built according to the General Expansion Plan, on the the city’s population. As the subsurface was very unstable, city’s western and southern margins. At the time, the a comprehensive plan was needed to deal with this construction of the Afsluitdijk (the long dike connecting expansion. Workers raised the level of the ground, canals the provinces of Friesland and Noord-Holland) and the and ditches were dug to improve drainage, and dikes, mills locks at IJmuiden meant that the risk of the city being and locks were built to manage water levels. inundated by the sea was greatly reduced. As a result, the requirements concerning the raising of the ground level In the 19th century, the Oranjesluizen (Orange Locks) were were substantially scaled back. constructed, putting an end to tidal ebb and flow in the canals. The urban expansion during that period featured Today, we are still reaping the benefits of the efforts made very few green spaces and bodies of water. However, over the past 700 years to make the city more water one thing that people could not avoid was the need to resilient, such as raising the city centre. Now that the raise the level of the ground. Sadly, the material used for climate is changing, past examples of cost-cutting – such this purpose consisted mainly of rubble and household as insufficiently raised ground levels, the use of poorer- waste. In various places, this cost-cutting approach to quality material, and less-effective drainage – are now represents the conclusion of the first phase, which building and to raising the level of the ground meant posing additional challenges in various in parts of the city identified the city’s vulnerabilities and risks in terms of heat, that many houses were damaged by subsidence before (Van Baaren, 2010). drought, waterlogging, and flooding. the new owners had even moved in. It was not until the

Using stress tests and internal dialogues (involving experts), we have arrived at an initial assessment of the risks that the In the meantime, we will continue to push ahead with our 1.3 Political, urban, above-mentioned four climate themes pose to Amsterdam, current projects, initiatives, and programmes. This means national, and international both now and in the future. In the second phase, we will that work on these individual components will continue, in engage in risk dialogues with the city. During this process, parallel to the development of a broad-based approach. In context we will set priorities (together with various partners in the follow-up to this strategy, we hope to identify criteria the city) and further expand our level of knowledge, our that we can use to check that Amsterdam is performing The effort to create a climate-proof city will involve a understanding, and our overview. In the course of 2020, we well in the area of climate adaptation. This is a question number of social transitions and trends that will pose major will use the results to jointly draw up the climate adaptation that we, as a city, will be increasingly asking ourselves in the challenges for Amsterdam in the upcoming decades. These implementation agenda, which will include specific plans future, in line with changing circumstances. include the growing number of residents and tourists, as for the upcoming years. Finally, the implementation phase well as developments in the areas of transport, the energy will start in phase three. Based on the implementation Climate adaptation is something that concerns the entire transition, and the circular economy. Annex I contains agenda, tangible climate adaptation measures will be city. Extreme weather affects everyone. Moreover, about further details on this topic. implemented in various projects and other activities. half of the city’s territory is in private ownership. This means that climate adaptation is both a public and a private task. At national level, the changing climate has prompted various administrative agreements, which are set out

10 Spatial vision The Environmental and Planning Act will enter into force on 1 January 2021. Central government, the provincial authorities, and the municipal authorities will each draw up a spatial vision. This will take the form of a strategic long-term vision for the entire physical living environment. The spatial vision covers all areas of the living environment. A spatial vision addresses the relationship between space, water, environment, nature, landscape, traffic, transport, infrastructure, and cultural heritage. In addition, the policy and approach involved will be renewed, to create greater cohesion. Increasing tourism, further urbanization, and the associated pressure on the public space will all have an impact on the city of the future. The government’s National Strategy on Spatial Planning and the Environment (NOVI) provides a long-term vision for the future and for the development of the living environment in the Netherlands. Climate adaptation also features in the NOVI, as one of the five major tasks (www.denationaleomELIJKvisie.nl).

Amsterdam is currently working on a spatial vision. The aim is to deliver an image of the City of Amsterdam’s future that takes full account of the impact of the changing climate. The changing climate has a widespread impact, affecting not only physical aspects, consideration here is that there is no national standard or 1.4 Reading guide but also the social and economic domains. aspiration for climate adaptation. Instead, local authorities and their social partners must decide on their aspirations This first section explains why we need to get busy making before the end of 2020 – to what extent will climate effects Amsterdam more climate-proof. It also gives details be accepted and who will implement which measures. In concerning Amsterdam and the national (and international) in the Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation (the Ministry of the administrative agreement, extra funding is linked to context. Section 2 gives details of the climate adaptation Infrastructure and Water Management & the Ministry the extent to which local authorities give substance to the measures that we are already implementing in Amsterdam. of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, 2017). These contents of the national administrative agreement. It also highlights a number of model projects. Section 3 are included in the 2018 Delta Programme, which was describes our climate-adaptation aspirations. Also, for each published on Budget Day 2017, as part of the Budget. Climate adaptation is an important topic at international climate theme, it specifies the goal that we are pursuing, Prompted by the growing urgency for climate adaptation, level, as well. As the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam based on the stress tests and internal dialogues (involving these agreements are intended to accelerate and cooperates closely with other cities and municipalities. experts). Proceeding theme by theme, Section 4 indicates intensify spatial adaptation at local and regional level. In addition, a global summit to be held in Amsterdam, in what is still needed to make the city as resilient as possible, The agreements were ratified by the current government, October 2020, will focus on the topic of climate adaptation. in terms of heat, drought, rain and floods. Section 5 gives the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), Amsterdam has reached a number of national agreements. details of how we plan to achieve this. Annex II contains the Association of Water Boards, and the Association of It also participates in various international partnerships, additional background information on the task that faces us. Provinces of the Netherlands (IPO) at the end of 2018. such as the C40 (Cities Climate Leadership Group). This took the form of an administrative agreement in the context of the Inter-Administrative Programme. A key

11 What measures are we already taking? S2 12 Rainproof Amsterdam Rainproof is a network approach that involves bottlenecks. The technology involved and the design more than 90 different parties throughout the city. Their itself must be rainproof, but it is also very important common goal is to make Amsterdam more resistant to to ensure that communication is effective and that the increasingly frequent heavy downpours. The guiding local residents are consulted about the new layout. principle is ‘every drop counts’. Both in public spaces The way in which bottlenecks in the Rivierenbuurt and and on private land. The network set up by the Waternet Bellamybuurt neighbourhoods have been tackled is a water company and the City of Amsterdam includes prime example. The sewage system and the public space A great deal of work is already being done in Amsterdam businesspeople, housing corporations, local green in the Bellamybuurt were rather outdated, so an upgrade initiatives, knowledge institutions, landscapers, people in was needed. This neighbourhood, which is one of the to make the city more climate-proof. Several projects and Amsterdam, and many other groups. The network brings lowest-lying areas in Amsterdam, is anything but level. initiatives aimed at making the city more climate-proof are together those involved in the areas of policy, everyday When it rains heavily, the result is a substantial amount already up and running. For instance, those involved in practice, and knowledge. The resultant interaction of waterlogging. The new layout has involved changes the public space are exploring a ‘new normal’. Together generates innovation while ensuring diversity. For instance, to the entire neighbourhood. A range of measures with knowledge institutions and market parties, they in the framework of various garden campaigns, housing have been implemented to shield vulnerable areas and are developing new standards and working practices. corporations are working with garden centres and to divert any excess rainwater into temporary holding Everyday management practices have also been modified, voluntary organizations to remove paved surfaces from areas. For example, raised thresholds are used to direct gardens. Very accessible approaches are used to motivate rainwater towards a local square (Bellamyplein), where it is in cooperation with various partners and with other local residents to actively engage with green spaces. temporarily held in specially excavated areas of vegetation. authorities. Explanatory notes on this topic are presented later in this section. In the public space, Rainproof is helping to find ways Rainproof also provides coaches, who advise residents and of resolving water bottlenecks. Many aspects need to owners on how to make their own plots of land climate be taken into consideration when redesigning these adaptive. 2.1 Knowledge and experience per climate theme The water boards have also been working to limit the to raise public awareness concerning flood risks, and flood risks for many years now. Their traditional role has to clarify the roles and responsibilities involved. One Amsterdam is at the forefront of some climate themes, but been to ensure that the dikes are properly maintained, example is the process of making smart choices regarding others still require a great deal of work. We have made thereby reducing the risk of flooding in the Netherlands locations for vital functions. Another is the construction good progress in making the city rainproof, for example. to an absolute minimum. In addition, over the past few of waterproof facilities such as vital infrastructure for new The Amsterdam Rainproof programme, which was launched years, lessons have been learned in the context of various developments and new networks in the context of the in 2014, has helped to create a broad-based network (see pilot projects. These projects explored our options for energy transition. box). The City routinely takes the rainproofing principle into limiting the impact of floods (in the exceptional cases account in the course of its management and maintenance where these occur) in Amsterdam, by means of sustainable For a long time, the emphasis has been on dealing with the work in the public space. This will make it possible to spatial planning and effective crisis management (City of effects of waterlogging. Less attention has been paid to resolve ‘rainwater bottlenecks’ (which are at greater risk of Amsterdam et. al. 2012; 2013; 2014; 2017, De Urbanisten the themes of heat and drought, so less progress has been waterlogging and water damage) more quickly. Then there (a Rotterdam-based bureau for urban research, design, and made with regard to knowledge and implementation within is the Hoosbui (Heavy Downpour) emergency protocol. landscape) 2012). these themes. Concerning the development of the present This roadmap enables the Waternet water company’s crisis strategy, a start has been made on developing knowledge management team to respond to incidents promptly, in the Based on these pilot projects, Amsterdam has opted to in the areas of heat and drought. event of extremely heavy downpours. focus this ‘flood-impact mitigation’ approach primarily on vital and vulnerable infrastructure, such as the power supply, telecommunications, hospitals, etc. It is important

13 Courtyard garden ‘I can change the world with my two hands’ A lady living in Amsterdam-West had an idea for transforming a local playground that had fallen into disuse. It has now been transformed into a green oasis of edible plants and vegetables, a place where local residents can meet up and share inspirational ideas about local food production, local composting, and rainwater retention. Rainwater draining from the surrounding roofs is collected and temporarily stored in large rainwater containers and infiltration crates. The water held here is then used to continuously irrigate vegetable crops, via drip pipes. These containers can store up to 50,000 litres of rainwater per season. This initiative is a fine example of how Rainproof projects can help to combat drought.

2.2 What are we currently ••Improving the quality of parks, to improve our There is a separate hot-weather roadmap for keeping doing per climate theme? ability to cope with extreme weather conditions and bridges cool on hot days. overcrowding. One approach would be to improve ••Communication during periods of hot weather, which conditions for growth in areas with tree cover. is primarily aimed at vulnerable people, involves the Heat ••Tackling sources of surface water pollution. Municipal Health Department‘s heatwave plan for In terms of dealing with – and preparing for ••Increasing the number of permanent public mitigating health risks. – heat, we are already working on measures standpipes and water playgrounds. ••Communication about health in the physical living such as: ••A heat and drought plan for green spaces, paved environment (including shade, green areas, and areas, and civil engineering structures in the city, water retention) and at events affected by heat or ••Gathering knowledge about the effects of heat on such as bridges. This includes short-term measures to water quality, such as the Dam to Dam Run or the people, flora, fauna and infrastructure, and about limit the adverse impacts of drought and heat. One City Swim. potential design solutions. We need to make greater operation involves identifying any trees and areas of efforts to ingrain and disseminate this knowledge vegetation that are at risk, and providing them with within the City of Amsterdam. extra water.

14 Rainwater bylaw The City of Amsterdam has the legal responsibility to The City is bound by the policy aspirations that it has process rainwater run-off. The 2016-2021 Amsterdam adopted. However, the owners of private land cannot be Municipal Sewage Plan adopted by the city authorities sets compelled to comply with the Municipal Sewage Plan. This out the ways in which the City of Amsterdam must fulfil this will require additional rules, and a rainwater bylaw is being responsibility. In the case of rainwater, the basic principles prepared to this end. include: The essence of the Rainwater Bylaw is: ••property owners are, in principle, responsible for ••To prevent waterlogging and water damage resulting processing any rainwater that falls on their own property; from extremely heavy downpours, it is mandatory for ••such rainwater should, ideally, be used rather than being newly built structures to store rainwater on their own plot discharged; of land; ••when designing public spaces, the City must make ••At least 60 litres of rainwater must be collected per allowance for the temporary retention of rainwater from m2 of built-up area. This amount of rainwater must be extremely heavy downpours. discharged again within 60 hours, but discharges into the Drought sewage system must not exceed In terms of dealing with – and preparing One aspiration formulated in the Municipal Sewage Plan 1 litre per m2 of built-up area; for – drought, we are already working on is that by 2020, on both private and public land, the city ••Exceptions have been made for reuse systems, centrally measures such as: should be able to handle rainfall of 60 mm per hour, controlled systems, and licence-exempt structures. without any damage to houses and vital infrastructure. ••Seeking to understand the impact of protracted periods of drought on the territory of Amsterdam. Work is now under way, involving additional stress our attractive, comfortable, and liveable city, we are already from the initiation phase onwards. It also applies tests on the impact of low groundwater levels on working on measures such as: to developers. A rainwater bylaw is currently in green areas and foundations during periods of ••Collecting and retaining as much rainwater as preparation. It will make water retention and drought. possible in the areas in which it falls, reusing the retardation mandatory for all newly built structures ••Scaling up innovative solutions in private and public rainwater, or diverting it into temporary holding areas (see box). spaces that have proved to be successful (such as and then discharging it slowly to the soil, surface ••Strengthening and expanding the Rainproof network RESILIO, a scaled-up version of the Smart Roof 2.0 water, or sewage system. approach, to interconnect, facilitate, and energize project. For further details, see subsection 2.3). ••Making the best possible use of retained and stored anyone who might be able to influence the rainproof ••Adapting planting schemes to soil conditions, by rainwater to create green areas, for cooling, and city of the future. means of a green plan involving area-specific, robust for replenishing groundwater. In this way, we can ••Encouraging private individuals, housing plants. counteract the adverse effects of heat and drought. corporations, and companies to retain rainwater on ••Using a variety of plants to reduce any risk of ••Rainproofing by design – making rainproofing the their own property, by removing areas of paving and extensive die-off during periods of drought. ‘golden rule’ for all physical changes in the city (roofs, creating green spaces, for example. ••Local, active groundwater replenishment in the public gardens, parks, streets, drains, sewers and public ••The Amstel, Gooi en Vecht water board’s work to space. squares). The City’s aspiration is for its public and streamline drainage in Amsterdam. Between the ••Retaining and reusing rainwater locally. private spaces to be able to handle rainfall of 60 mm Amstel and the Zeeburg pumping station, five per hour, without any damage to houses and vital bridges will be modified to improve drainage. During Waterlogging infrastructure. This aspiration has been included in periods of wet weather, this will ensure that water In an effort to prevent extremely heavy the 2016-2021 Municipal Sewage Plan. levels in the river Amstel, the canals, and in the areas downpours from causing damage and ••Rainproofing (temporary water retention plus a focus south of the city do not rise too far. inconvenience, wherever possible, while at on thresholds and floor levels) in area development the same time enabling rainwater to sustain and for new-build properties. This is a basic principle,

15 Water safety To reduce the risk of flooding in the city and, if this should occur, to limit its impact, while complementing the responsibilities of other government bodies and administrative levels, we are already working on measures such as:

••Inspecting, maintaining, and potentially replacing elements of the flood-defence systems, such as locks, weirs, and inlets. ••Preventing (as far as possible) any failures of the sewage system, the drinking water system, and surface water management resulting from extreme weather or flooding, at a reasonable cost if possible. Failing that, any damage to assets and any delays in terms of recovery time must be limited, at the very least. ••Efforts to achieve climate adaptation in the context of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (MRA). Here, the Water-Resilient Westpoort Adaptation Strategy has been followed up in various ways. This includes the domain of ‘klimaatbestendige vitale en kwetsbare infrastructuur’ (Climate-proof vital and vulnerable infrastructure), which is managed by the provincial authorities. This also serves to link climate adaptation to the MRA’s huge housing target.

16 Green Vision Smart blue-green roofs: Smart Roof & RESILIO 2.3 Amsterdam in action Amsterdam has a strong tradition of making space for greenery. Take, for instance, the rows of trees along our 17th Blue-green roofs provide cooling and water retention, In addition to the above-mentioned activities in each century canals. Or the ‘wedges’, the extensive green areas while helping to improve biodiversity. Beneath this climate theme, various projects are being carried out that push into the city like giant fingers. The city authorities layer of plants on the roof, extra rainwater is collected. approved this pattern of green areas in 1934, as part of the in Amsterdam to make the city more climate-proof. Through the smart combination of data on the weather, General Expansion Plan. No-one in Amsterdam is more than water, roofs, and users, water can either be retained This subsection lists a number of ongoing projects and a fifteen-minute bike ride away from any of those green or discharged at district level, based on the weather initiatives. areas. An urban vision for green areas is being developed, forecast. Under the leadership of the KWR Water to further the process of systematically making allowance Research Institute, Project Smartroof 2.0 uses high- for green areas in the city during the planning process. The quality sensors to measure the exact evaporation and Top consortiums for Knowledge and goal is to create a city that is liveable for people and for energy balance of such blue-green roofs. The goal is to wildlife. The Green Vision outlines a future picture with Innovation: CitySports better understand the cooling capacity of blue-green a robust green structure and an implementation agenda roofs in cities. At the same time, over a three-year Since 2019, the Marineterrein neighbourhood and for the coming years. At every level, from individual plots period, the RESILIO research project will transform 8,000 the Laan van Spartaan sports park have been using of land to huge ‘wedges’. The Green Vision is one of the m2 of roof space (on housing corporation properties) naturally cooled artificial grass pitches. Here people building blocks of Amsterdam’s Spatial Vision 2050. into smart blue-green roofs. These roofs will be can engage in sporting activities, even during period of connected together to form a network, giving rise to a very hot weather. Standard artificial grass pitches can new form of water management. The construction of the be uncomfortable during hot weather, and can even first roof will start in January 2020 at the De Key housing be hazardous to anyone engaging in sporting activities Garden campaigns corporation’s complex on Kattenburg island. if the temperature gets too high. The evaporation of rainwater keeps naturally cooled artificial grass pitches Together with the city districts, housing corporations, cool at very high temperatures. These pitches even the Present Foundation, the Social Gardening project, enable matches to go ahead during heavy downpours. and various garden centres, the Amsterdam Rainproof In this way, the collection and storage of rainwater programme is staging garden campaigns to remove transforms the city’s water problem into a solution paved surfaces from gardens and create green spaces. that promotes the health and performance of people This enables rainwater to penetrate into the soil more engaging in sporting activities. It requires neither effectively, thus replenishing the groundwater. Any energy nor complex spraying systems. The CitySports rainwater falling onto soil that is covered with vegetation project contributes to urban cooling, as well as to the rather than paving stones is directly absorbed into the circular use of materials and rainwater. ground, and does not need to be drained away through the sewage system. This helps to limit waterlogging during heavy downpours. Removing areas of paving also frees up more space for flora and fauna and, of course, for organisms that live in the soil. Native perennials that are adapted to the local soil require less water. Ground- cover plants prevent the soil from drying out, while acting as a source of food for birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects. This improves biodiversity. Vegetation also helps to keep gardens cooler on hot summer days. In 2019, garden campaigns were held in the districts of Zuidoost, Amsteldorp and the Jordaan.

A paving-stone service is being set up to help residents remove paved surfaces from their gardens. People can < Young footballers in Amsterdam are happy with the cooled artifi- make an appointment for this service to collect paving cial grass pitches (September 2019). stones left beside their front doors. The initial pilot project was scheduled for 2020. 17 By 2085, that number will have risen to forty1. On tropical days, the city is an urban heat island. Various measurements and studies have shown that the temperature difference between the city and the countryside can be as much as about 12°C (TNO, 2011). The ‘heat island’ effect can trigger heat stress. Heat stress prevents the body from cooling itself down properly. This can produce effects ranging from rash, cramp, fatigue, stroke, and kidney failure to breathing problems. The worst-case scenario is that it can kill you. These are all physiological effects, but heat can also influence human behaviour (aggressiveness, for example) and sleep quality (RIVM, 2019).

Aside from the health risks involved, heat can lead to problems in areas such as labour productivity (e.g. due to a decrease in comfort in buildings), public space (e.g. due to damage to urban green spaces), and networks (e.g. 2.4 Visualizing also exhibit a degree of mutual coherence. The weather mobility of bridges and overheating of power grids), while the task extremes do not exist in isolation, and the associated risks also causing a decline in water quality (e.g. due to the can reinforce each other. warming of surface water). Further details about the heat- related task can be found in Annex II. In recent years, we have faced a steep learning curve An initial estimate has been made of the challenges and on the topic of climate change, the impact of which is risks facing Amsterdam, both now and in the future. This Drought becoming increasingly perceptible. On 28 May, 2019, the estimate is based on currently available stress tests and We define drought as an extended period City of Amsterdam Executive adopted the administrative on interviews with official representatives of the municipal of lower than normal rainfall, combined instruction on climate adaptation, with the aim of organization and the water boards. with high levels of evaporation. In the developing a coherent and city-wide approach to climate Details of the maps and of the risks that have been Netherlands, periods of drought are adaptation in Amsterdam. identified are listed on a theme by theme basis in Annex II. monitored by the KNMI, based on the potential rainfall The challenge facing the city is summarized here too. deficit (KNMI, 2018). In 2018, we experienced one of the In line with the national Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation, driest summers (top five percent) since the beginning of the challenges facing the city in relation to the four climate Heat the last century. The rainfall deficit at that time was greater themes of heat, drought, waterlogging, and flooding In the current climate, measurements show have been identified. While each of these individual that the Amsterdam area experiences an 1 Based on the measuring station at Schiphol: themes involve distinct and specific risks to the city, they average of twenty summery days per year. http://klimaatchange-mra.vormgeving.com

18 than it had been for many years. Moreover, much more water evaporated than was added by rainfall. As a result, the upper layer of the soil contained very little water. Amsterdam’s groundwater level was extremely low.

Drought involves a number of risks, such as damage to urban green spaces and to the local ecology, problems with foundations, peat oxidation, a decline in water quality (including that of bodies of water used for swimming), salinization, soil subsidence, and – as a result – potential building subsidence and concomitant damage to pipes and network cables. At the same time, there is a need for greater knowledge and awareness – at both a social and a professional level – of the issues involved. In the case of many potential measures, it is not yet clear that these will actually be able to solve this problem. Further details about the drought-related task can be found in Annex II.

Waterlogging Rain is part and parcel of life in Amsterdam. is determined by the amount of rainwater that can be damage to basements and buildings; the failure of vital The trend in recent years, however, has drained away and temporarily retained. This depends both functions such as the power supply; and a decline in surface been toward increasingly frequent showers on the sewage system and on the layout of the public and water quality. Further details about the waterlogging- involving brief periods of very intense private space. The sewage system was neither designed related task can be found in Annex II. rainfall, mainly in the summer. The risk of extremely heavy nor constructed to handle extremely large amounts of downpours will double in the run-up to 2050 (source: water in a short period of time. Nor, indeed, was the city Floods KNMI2). The rainwater bottleneck map identifies sites designed to temporarily retain excess rainwater. Another Amsterdam can potentially be flooded by in Amsterdam that are at high risk of waterlogging and major factor is the extent of any paved areas. More paving water from the North Sea (via IJmuiden), damage during extremely heavy downpours (see Annex II). results in less water being able to infiltrate the soil, and the river Lek, the Markermeer lake, and the this has the potential to cause greater damage. Extremely regional water systems (City of Amsterdam As yet, the city is unable to cope effectively with extremely heavy downpours can severely restrict and obstruct public et al. 2012). The water system is reaching its limits. It only heavy downpours. The risk of waterlogging and damage life, especially where the water is not locally retained, has a limited degree of flexibility, in terms of the capacity or where it cannot rapidly infiltrate or run off. The risks involved include flooded streets, damage to paved areas, and reduced accessibility; dying trees and plants in parks; 2 www.knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum/uitleg/extreme-neerslag

19 needed to deal with extremes.3 Deep polders (low-lying land), such as the Watergraafsmeer neighbourhood, are the areas most vulnerable to flooding. Nevertheless, people have only a very limited awareness of flood risks.

Thanks to the measures that have already been put in place, there is only a minor risk of flooding. However, when they do occur, floods can have an enormous impact. Flood risks include a degree of social disruption as the city (or parts of it) become inaccessible both to the public and to the emergency and support services, the failure of vital functions, damage to infrastructure and buildings, protracted recovery times, and economic damage. Further details about the flood-risk challenge can be found in Annex II.

3 www.slimwatermanagement.nl/regio/regio-amsterdam-rijnkanaal- noordzeekanaal/toekomstbestendig-watersysteem

20 What do we aim to achieve? S3 21 3.1 Amsterdam as fully prepared as possible by 2050

Given the risks that have been identified, our aspiration is to ensure that, by 2050, Amsterdam will be as well prepared as possible to deal with the changing climate. Using a step-by-step approach, we will work to achieve this goal in the upcoming decades, together with various partners within the city. It is also important to make use of any innovations and novel opportunities that can make the city more climate-proof and more resilient.

Making our city more resilient and climate-proof calls for a new approach to urban design and management. This aspiration requires investments in green areas and biodiversity, water protection, climate-proof construction, more robust infrastructure, improved water and waste management systems, power supply, and more robust communication and transport systems, as well as steps to combat social inequality.

We want to prepare the city for the potential impact of climate change at a physical, social, and economic level. This strategy is the first step in this direction. In an effort to make the city more climate-proof, we plan to engage in a dialogue with the city. The aim is to refine the contents of this strategy and to create a picture of the city’s priorities. To date, people’s efforts to help make Amsterdam climate- been identified, based on stress tests and risk dialogues. It is also important to explore a ‘new normal’ and to proof include the examples of activities and projects There is a need for a focused and integrated approach, in develop standards and working practices (see text box on (including pilot projects) listed in the previous section. which an iterative process is used to regularly upgrade our p23). Given the sheer size of the task, we are dependent However, this is not enough. New climate scenarios have knowledge and to seek collective solutions. on innovative techniques, implementation methods, and now been published and the impact of climate change is funding sources. This requires us to modify our current becoming clearly perceptible. The task facing the city has working and investment practices.

22 Climate adaptation as the ‘new normal’ The ‘new normal’ means that climate adaptation is an obvious and accepted theme. As a result, climate adaptation is being systematically included in aspects such as spatial policy, area development, implementation agendas, sustainability programmes, construction, replacement, and maintenance, rather than being treated as a separate or non-binding theme. This requires a broad-based knowledge of the nature and extent of the risks posed by weather extremes. It also 3.2 What are our goals per climate calls for an effective link between that knowledge and the specific characteristics of the associated projects theme? and programmes. These aspects must be safeguarded within municipal processes. This would involve measures Heat: The goal is for the city to be more such as drawing up standards, assessment frameworks, specific design solutions, and specifying specific material resistant to heat. In particular, the aim is to choices/requirements. prevent or limit any damage and nuisance caused by heat as much as possible, in both It is also about creating awareness, building knowledge, the physical and social domains. and facilitating pioneers both within the municipal organization and among partners and stakeholders, Drought: The goal is for the city to be more such as private individuals and companies (including resistant to long periods of drought. In utility companies). Efforts to integrate the themes of water and climate in the city’s educational programmes, particular, the aim is to prevent damage to for example, could also help to establish a ‘new buildings, green areas, infrastructure, water, normal’. In this way, successive generations will learn and dikes as much as possible, and to limit the importance of climate adaptation, as a matter of any inconvenience. course. Based on the risk dialogues, these types of aspirations will be specified in greater detail in 2020 (in Waterlogging: The goal is to prevent the implementation agenda). extremely heavy downpours from causing damage and inconvenience as much as possible, while at the same time using rainwater to help sustain our attractive, comfortable, and liveable city. Climate adaptation is a joint challenge. It is important to encourage people to support climate adaptation and to Floods: The goal is to reduce the risk of take ownership of this issue. The city authorities and the flooding in the city, while complementing water boards will seek cooperation with other parties, the responsibilities of other government such as members of the public, knowledge institutions, bodies and administrative levels in this public-private partners, institutional investors, insurance regard. Another goal is to achieve impact companies, property owners, and central government, with mitigation in the event of floods, both the aim of creating awareness within all layers of society. through spatial planning and by means of After all, climate change affects everyone. crisis management.

23 What else needs to be done? S4 24 If we are to be properly prepared for climate change, 4.1 The actions required to create then our current efforts and activities will not be sufficient. the ‘new normal’ Aside from the fact that the impact of climate change is expected to become increasingly severe, we are constantly being faced with new information about the climate. We To make climate adaptation the ‘new normal’, we need to will, therefore, have to constantly adapt our approach develop the following pathways to potential overarching accordingly. solutions for the four climate themes:

In order to be better prepared, we need to radically scale ••Structural integration into operations and up our efforts with regard to climate adaptation. In addition management to scaling up our current successful activities (and pilot ••Together and in dialogue with the city projects) as much as possible, we need to launch other new ••Encouraging and supporting promising projects initiatives to make climate adaptation the ‘new normal’, ••Knowledge sharing and communication right across the board. A number of activities span all four ••Researching and monitoring climate themes, while others are specific to individual themes.

The follow-up to this strategy needs to involve further The implementation agenda will provide a more detailed expansion of the level of knowledge, insight, and specification, prioritization, and phase definition. overview. We must also identify criteria that can be used to check that Amsterdam is doing well in terms of climate Structural integration into

1 adaptation. Based on this, we must prioritize activities and 2 operations and management 3 4 make them more specific. This is a question that we, as a 5 Making climate adaptation the ‘new 6 city, will be increasingly asking ourselves in the future, in normal’ in relevant projects and activities line with changing circumstances. This strategy forms the will require a change in working practices. starting point for an ongoing process. This will ensure that climate adaptation continues to play a central part, alongside climate mitigation, etc. As new information becomes available and new standards are established, these must be integrated into work processes as much as possible, in activities such as area development, replacement, and maintenance. This will deliver clear standards for projects and activities to meet, thus ensuring that climate adaptation is always included. To this end, the following actions are required:

25 Encouraging and supporting promising projects Adapting to the changing climate is a collective challenge. That is why it is important for each and every person in Amsterdam to take personal responsibility in this matter. We at the City of Amsterdam can take the initiative in this regard. In addition, as the local authority, we must encourage residents and companies to act, and to help us bring about a climate-proof city. Pilot projects designed to test specific climate-adaptive solutions or measures in practice must be launched and supported, as a way of encouraging technical innovation. It is important to adopt ••Further specifying the ‘new normal’, in consultation it will also focus on the group of motivated companies a results-oriented approach here. The various projects with key parties – which direction do we wish to take? and residents that are keen to get involved but who need and activities must do as much as possible to make the ••Drawing up the requirements (or minimum support and advice. The purpose of the dialogues is to city climate-proof. To this end, they should be given clear requirements) to be met by projects and activities, refine the contents of this strategy, and to create a picture objectives and guidelines. and fostering compliance. These can differ from one of the city’s priorities and of who exactly is stepping up to type of project, domain, or weather condition to the plate in this respect. This forms the basis for measures It is important to give due consideration to climate- another. by the City, the water boards, and various partners in the adaptive measures in the context of existing and ongoing ••Identifying areas of overlap with other urban issues city, which will be included in the implementation agenda activities, to include such measures wherever possible, (such as Car-Free, Circular, Climate Neutral, and to be drawn up in 2020. and then to monitor them. If the requisite standards are Urban Preservation) and processes (such as Spatial unavailable (or not yet available) or if project workers lack Vision, Green Vision, as well as asset programming To this end, the following actions are required: the tools needed to identify the task themselves, then they processes). ••Establishing a relationship with other scheduled should at least identify the themes in which their project consultation rounds in the city, such as those will help to make the city climate-proof. Together and in dialogue with the associated with the Spatial Vision and Climate city Neutral. Climate adaptation is a collective challenge. ••Drawing up an implementation agenda based on Everyone in Amsterdam can do their bit to these discussions and on the financial frameworks. support the city authorities’ aspiration of ••Establishing a collective approach by setting up and being as well prepared for climate change as possible. expanding partnerships. Many people in Amsterdam are keen to help with this. The City will continue to actively involve trailblazers, but

26 Any existing programmes and projects that are aimed at The figures quoted by scientists in an effort to convince us Climate adaptation should be a learning environment. By making the city climate-proof must be scaled up as much as of the reality of climate change can sometimes backfire. adopting an iterative approach (i.e. recalibrating where possible, to boost their scope and their impact on the city. This is because the message itself has no personal necessary) and pushing ahead with development, we This could involve expanding the Rainproof programme, for resonance and/or because it is just too alarming (P.S. collectively become ‘more mature’ with regard to this example, and the further implementation and upscaling of Stoknes, 2015). The trick is to find a balance between theme. the Smartroof 2.0, RESILIO, and CitySports projects. informing people about the risks involved without causing This enables us to be better prepared, in terms of knowing anxiety, while at the same time offering an attractive what to expect and how to respond to it. In this way, we To this end, the following actions are required: prospect that encourages them to take action. are well prepared for the climate of the future. ••Tackling urgent bottlenecks, taking advantage of win- win situations wherever possible; To this end, the following actions are required: To this end, the following actions will be required from time ••Identifying opportunities to scale up successful pilot ••Drawing up a communication strategy; to time: projects to the ‘new normal’; ••Sharing knowledge with other climate programmes ••Conducting additional research (stress tests) in ••Encouraging everyone in Amsterdam, from residents (Car-Free, Circular, Green Vision, Climate Neutral, cooperation with knowledge institutions, to get a to businesspeople and companies (including utility Delta Programme, Rainproof); better idea of the impact on the city; companies), to help shape the strategy for climate ••Inform and educate other workers and everyone in ••Monitoring the effects of any improvements and pilot adaptation and the implementation agenda. They can Amsterdam, and help them to implement climate projects that have been implemented; also help to set up a learning environment in which adaptation; ••Establishing and strengthening joint ventures with innovative climate-proof solutions can be developed ••Focused cooperation with other cities, in the scientific institutions and knowledge institutions, and tested; Netherlands and elsewhere, that have added value such as the KNMI and the Amsterdam Institute for ••Using a network approach, in which the government for Amsterdam. Advanced Metropolitan Solutions; acts as a partner by actively cooperating within the ••Setting up measuring points in the city itself, to network. Researching and monitoring ensure that our stress tests are not predictions based As no one knows exactly how the climate on data from other parts of the Netherlands. Knowledge sharing and is changing, we are constantly dealing with communication new information, from bodies such as the The sharing of knowledge about the risks KNMI and the National Delta Programme. If posed to the city and the opportunities we are to arrive at suitable climate-proof solutions, we must involved creates awareness. It also engenders a collective have access to the right data at the right time. At regular ownership of climate change and climate adaptation. It intervals, we must determine exactly what information we is important to send a consistent message in this regard. need. We must have access to that data. In addition, this This must be in tune with internal programmes (such as information must be available to relevant stakeholders. Car-Free, Circular, and Climate Neutral) and with external This could take the form of weather forecasts that include partners (such as other cities, the Association of Netherlands underlying information about the city’s foundations or its Municipalities, Ministries, and the Delta Programme). green areas.

27 4.2 Requisite actions per climate theme

It is also important to specify pathways to potential solutions (or to do so in further detail) for each climate theme and to supplement them where necessary. These are explained in greater detail below, on a theme by theme basis.

Making Amsterdam more heat- resilient The goal is for the city to be more resilient < During periods of extreme heat, the city’s bridges are cooled. This is to prevent any excessive expansion, which might otherwise prevent them from opening and closing. to heat. The aim is to prevent and limit any damage and inconvenience caused by heat as much as possible, in both the physical and social programme, tackling loneliness, the energy transition, ••Supporting efforts to use materials that do not domains. In addition to our current work and overarching Climate Neutral, developing neighbourhoods, quays absorb heat radiation (which, therefore, they do not activities, we need to specify the following pathways to and bridges; release later on); potential solutions (or to do so in further detail): ••Working with housing corporations to implement heat- ••Including heat-resilient construction and designs as a resilient measures in existing buildings; requirement for urban planning and when designing ••Determining whether heat targets are realistic/ ••Supporting efforts to make outdoor spaces, roofs, and new buildings and outdoor spaces; necessary; facades more green, especially in those places where ••Creating peaceful breeding grounds within green- ••Developing knowledge about effective measures (or heat-related nuisance occurs most often (areas that blue infrastructure for beneficial insects and other the most effective ones); are paved and those with limited shade), to provide animal species; ••Investigating links between the heat issue and natural cooling (rather than mechanical cooling); ••Researching the effects of heat and sunlight on air problems in other themes (drought, waterlogging, ••Local ‘cool spots/mini parks’ (including swimming quality, and developing knowledge about effective and floods), and identifying and resolving priorities facilities, such as those in the Marineterrein measures. Testing these measures in practice, on that basis; neighbourhood) where local residents can cool off; wherever possible. ••Mapping the impact of heat stress on structures/ ••Communicating with the people of Amsterdam, to buildings that have a vital function, such as hospitals raise awareness of the problems associated with heat, The implementation agenda will provide a more detailed and schools, and identifying the major bottlenecks; of cool spots around the city, and of the measures they specification, prioritization, and phase definition. ••Collaborating with other relevant programmes: themselves can implement in and around their homes. incorporating heat into the housing quality

28 Making Amsterdam more drought boards) (PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment ••Improving the buffering capacity of the outdoor resistant Agency 2016); space by effectively coordinating the ground-floor The goal is for the city to be more resistant levels of buildings with the actual ground level. to long periods of drought. In particular, ••The rate of subsidence in the city’s forty parks, both the aim is to prevent damage to buildings, green areas, large and small, and fluctuations in the groundwater The implementation agenda will provide a more detailed infrastructure, water, and dikes as much as possible, and level; specification, prioritization, and phase definition. to limit any inconvenience. In addition to our current ••Investigating the effect of soil subsidence on operations, we need to engage with the owners and organisms that live in the soil. Ensuring that Amsterdam is better managers of buildings, green areas, infrastructure, bodies prepared for flood risks of water, and dikes. This must involve an effective and The implementation agenda will provide a more detailed The goal is to reduce the risk of flooding socially supported approach, focusing on: specification, prioritization, and phase definition. in the city, while complementing the responsibilities of other government bodies ••Future-proof asset management in the public space Making Amsterdam more rainproof and administrative levels. Another goal is to achieve impact (such as quay walls and bridges, underground The goal is to prevent extremely heavy mitigation in the event of floods, both through spatial infrastructure, roads, tramways, metro tracks, and downpours from causing damage and planning and by means of crisis management. In addition stations);1 inconvenience as much as possible, while at to our current work and overarching activities, we need to ••A monitoring programme to keep track of soil the same time using rainwater to help sustain specify the following pathways to potential solutions (or to subsidence; our attractive, comfortable, and liveable city. In addition do so in further detail): ••Working with building owners to jointly create future- to our current work and overarching activities, we need to proof foundations, based on existing public and specify the following pathways to potential solutions (or to ••Raising awareness among spatial planners, area private responsibilities (National Dutch Knowledge do so in further detail): developers, designers, managers of vital and Center for Foundation Issues 2016); vulnerable functions, asset managers, area managers, ••Opportunities for actively replenishing groundwater ••Bringing forward work at sites that are at increased and others with regard to flood risks and the from surface water, and for water buffering in risk of damage (rainwater bottlenecks); effectiveness of the water system; groundwater at greater depth (as in the pilot project ••Collecting rainwater wherever possible, reusing ••Setting up a thematic study on water safety to in the Amstelkwartier neighbourhood); it where it falls, and providing sufficient space for advance knowledge development concerning spatial ••Local use (or reuse) of rainwater; surface water, so that any excess water can easily choices, area development, and utilities; ••Slowing down soil subsidence in Amsterdam’s parks drain away; ••Enhancing the roles of flood risks and sea level rise in and areas of peatland (in cooperation with the ••Using models to determine what is – and is not terms of selecting locations and of area development. Noord-Holland provincial authorities and the water – possible in terms of buffering the groundwater This will involve stress tests, both at project level and system; in the context of processes like the Spatial Vision; ••Improving our understanding of the relationship 1 The goal of future-proof asset management is to create a functional, between damage to the city and its vulnerability to complete, and safe city. A city where management and maintenance remain affordable, despite disruptive factors such as climate change, waterlogging, at the level of neighbourhoods, streets, scarcity of materials, urbanization, and digitization. and individual buildings;

29 ••Spotlighting robust city development, in the light of sea-level rise and soil subsidence (including avoiding any ‘high regret’ measures, experimenting with a water-related ‘go with the flow’ approach, waterproof vital functions, and improving the water system’s throughput). For example, by actively seeking ways to boost the city’s water resilience, and by engaging with various projects and offering advice on how best to do this; ••Identifying and specifying any ‘linking options’ with other ongoing tasks. This could involve areas such as the housing target, energy transition, asset management, and efforts to tackle waterlogging; ••Create effective links between spatial adaptation and crisis management, in cooperation with partners in the security and crisis management domains. These would include evacuation and access routes, the plans for these functions, and shelters; ••Developing an action plan for enforcement operations and maintenance work in relation to the city’s primary flood defence system. This plan would include reserving sufficient space for any future expansion of the water system, and for reinforcing flood defence systems.

The implementation agenda will provide a more detailed specification, prioritization, and phase definition.

30 Organization S5 31 The City of Amsterdam established a climate adaptation Clarity concerning tasks and responsibilities, as well as those making the necessary preparations), to facilitate the programme in 2019. This programme provided the control and communication is key to this. timely identification of any relevant cross-connections. basis for the present strategy, which was developed in cooperation with other key parties. The climate Municipal coordination and cooperation In parallel to this, work will continue on existing adaptation programme will serve to foster other projects The aspirations and strategy with regard to climate programmes. A number of existing programmes and activities until such time as climate adaptation has adaptation serve as input for the City’s spatial vision. and routine activities will be incorporated into the become interwoven with routine work processes (i.e. the Wherever possible, the future development of the city must implementation agenda. This will enable us to benefit from ‘new normal’). The programme will shape the requisite be climate-proof, and must make allowance for the impact the lessons learned in everyday practice. preconditions, such as the development of climate- of changing weather conditions. This requires coordination adaptive standards and support for innovative projects. (or further coordination) with the spatial vision (or with Regional and national coordination and cooperation For certain climate themes, cooperation at regional level is vital. That is why Amsterdam is participating in various ongoing Amsterdam Metropolitan Area initiatives in the area of climate adaptation. These address topics such as mitigating the impact of flooding on vital infrastructure, and the development of climate-proof preconditions for new-build properties (or for the siting of such properties). National regulations are also important. National policy in the field of climate adaptation is undergoing rapid development. Amsterdam is an active member of the national core team for spatial adaptation. This ensures that it is kept well informed and that it is able to contribute ideas. The city is also intensively engaging with representatives of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, and with the authorities in other large and medium-sized cities. In addition, Amsterdam is internationally active in the VNG Resilience/Sustainability Core Group and in the international C40 network. The C40 cities have agreed that they will all have completed a climate mitigation and adaptation plan by 2020. With a little extra effort, the climate adaptation strategy could also give substance to this administrative commitment.

32 Financial and legal organization Our aspiration is for climate adaptation to become the ‘new normal’. Based on the continuous collection and monitoring of data, we understand the impact on the city and what this means in terms of the ‘new normal’ (and the associated requirements).

The basic principle is that a temporary climate adaptation programme will serve to foster other projects and activities until such time as climate adaptation has become interwoven with routine work processes. This includes the points mentioned above: including the creation of a learning environment, the development of standards and processes, the establishment and execution of a network approach and communication strategy, and the implementation of specific projects (or innovative projects). It is also important that capacity be freed up within each of the organizations involved, thus enabling them to tackle this subject collectively. The implementation agenda will provide a more detailed specification, prioritization, and phase definition.

Climate adaptation is a collective task that requires the commitment of a variety of public and private parties. Everyone has their own area of responsibility and their own part to play in this undertaking. For instance, it is not just a matter of the public spaces. There are also areas of overlap with housing, land ownership, health, and working Looking ahead to the follow-up phase during the next phase. In addition, the implementation conditions. In the present strategy for climate adaptation, This strategy represents the conclusion of the first phase, agenda (which covers new and existing activities) will be the basic principle is that each of the parties involved must which explored the city’s vulnerabilities and risks in terms drawn up. This will be achieved collectively, in dialogue provide their own legal expertise and deal with their own of heat, drought, waterlogging, and flooding. At the same with the city. In the third phase (the implementation phase), areas of responsibility. In the context of this cooperative time, we now have a better understanding of the areas of based on the implementation agenda, tangible climate effort, these parties will share this knowledge and, where overlap with other ongoing projects, and especially of the adaptation measures will be translated into various projects necessary, coordinate with one another. work that remains to be done. This work will be continued and other activities.

33 List of sources S6 34 Van Baaren, M. (2010) Amsterdam waterbestendig The City of Amsterdam et al. (2014), Deltastrategie KNMI (2019), MRA, City of Amsterdam, Waternet, Amstel, (Amsterdam waterproof). Regio Amsterdam (Delta Strategy for the Amsterdam area). Gooi en Vecht water board. Ons klimaat verandert (Our climate is changing). Deltares, Wareco & Fugro (2017) Grootschalig actief Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (2019), http://klimaatverandering-mra.vormgeving.com grondwaterpeilbeheer in bebouwd gebied (Large-scale, Onderzoeksproject de Hitte bestendige stad (Heat active groundwater level management in built-up areas). Resilient Cities, a research project). PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (2016), Commissioned by the Delta Programme on Spatial www.hittebestendigestad.nl Dalende bodems, stijgende kosten. Mogelijke maatregelen Adaptation. tegen veenbodemdaling in het landelijke en stedelijke https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/@167167/grootschalig-actief The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management & gebied (Subsiding soils, rising costs. Potential measures the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (2017), against peatland subsidence in rural and urban areas). Deltares (2018) Mogelijke gevolgen van versnelde Delta Programme 2018. Doorwerken aan een duurzame Policy study. zeespiegelstijging voor het Deltaprogramma: een en veilige delta (Ongoing work to create a sustainable www.pbl.nl/publicaties/dalende-bodems-stijgende-kosten verkenning (Potential impact of accelerated sea level rise and safe delta). The Hague: The Ministry of Infrastructure on the Delta Programme: an exploratory study). and Water Management and the Ministry of Economic Per Espen Stoknes (2015), What We Think About When We www.deltares.nl/nl/publication/mogelijke-gevolgen-van- Affairs and Climate Policy. The first Delta Plan on Spatial Try Not To Think About Global Warming: Toward a New versnelde-zeespiegelstijging-voor-het-deltaprogramma- Adaptation is part of this. Psychology of Climate Action, Chelsea Green Publishing. een-verkenning https://deltaprogramma2018.deltacommissaris.nl Government, Association of Water Boards, Association of Deltares (2019) Strategieën voor adaptatie aan hoge en National Dutch Knowledge Center for Foundation Netherlands Municipalities & Association of Provinces of versnelde zeespiegelstijging: een verkenning (Strategies for Issues (2016) Handleiding funderingsproblematiek voor the Netherlands (2018), Bestuursakkoord klimaatadaptatie adaptation to a substantial and accelerated rise in sea level: gemeenten; wat te doen bij vermoedens van problemen (Administrative Agreement on Climate Adaptation). an exploratory study). bij houten funderingen? (Manual on foundation issues www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2018/11/20/ www.deltacommissaris.nl/documenten publicaties/2019/ for municipalities; how to deal with suspected issues bestuursakkoord-klimaatadaptatie 09/30/verkenning-deltares---strategieen-voor-adaptatie- concerning wooden foundations). National Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment aan-hoge-en-versnelde-zeespiegelstijging Knowledge Center for Foundation Issues. (RIVM) (2012). Municipal Health Department guideline – www.kcaf.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Handleiding- Gezondheidsrisico’s van zomerse omstandigheden (The The City of Amsterdam et al. (2012), De Waterbestendige Gemeentes-WEB.pdf health risks of warm weather). stad (The Waterproof City). Meerlaagsveiligheidbenadering www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/609400007.pdf toegepast op de regio Amsterdam (A multi-layered safety KNMI (November 2018), R. Sluijter, M. Plieger, G. J. van approach for the Amsterdam area). Oldenborgh, J. Beersma and H. de Vries, De droogte National Institute for Public Health and the Environment https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/voorbeelden/overzicht- van 2018 – Een analyse op basis van het potentiële (RIVM), De Nijs, T. et al. (2019). Ontwikkeling Standaard projecten/@158387/waterbestendige-stad neerslagtekort (The drought of 2018 - An analysis based on Stresstest Hitte (Development of a Standard Heat Stress the potential rainfall deficit). Test). www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/2019-0008.pdf The City of Amsterdam et al. (2013), Waterbestendig Westpoort (Water-Resilient Westpoort).

35 National Institute for Public Health and the Environment Websites consulted (RIVM) (23-07-2019), In heel Nederland kans op smog Netherlands Bureau for Tourism and Conferences (NBTC) door ozon. (Risk of ozone-induced smog throughout the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions www.nbtc.nl Netherlands). www.rivm.nl/nieuws/in-heel-nederland-kans- (AMS) op-smog-door-ozon www.ams-institute.org Research, Information and Statistics (OIS), Amsterdam www.ois.amsterdam.nl/downloads/pdf/2019_kerncijfers.pdf Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) (29-08-2019). Statistics Netherlands (CBS) Nieuwe eis ter verkleining risico op oververhitting www.cbs.nl Rainproof nieuwbouwwoningen (New requirement to reduce the risk www.rainproof.nl/wolkbreuk-28-juli of overheating in newly built homes). Spatial Adaptation Knowledge Portal www.rvo.nl/actueel/nieuws/nieuwe-eis-ter-verkleining- https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/stresstest/bijsluiter RIVM risico-op-oververhitting-nieuwbouwwoningen www.rivm.nl/nieuws/in-heel-nederland-kans-op-smog-door- Climate impact atlas ozon Netherlands Organisation for applied scientific research www.klimaateffectatlas.nl www.rivm.nl/publicaties/ggd-richtlijn-medische- (TNO) (May 2011). Kennismontage Hitte en Klimaat in de milieukunde-gezondheidsrisicos-van-zomerse- Stad (Inventory of Knowledge concerning Heat and City KNMI omstandigheden Climates), TNO-060-UT-2011-01053. www.knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum/uitleg/ www.tno.nl/media/4361/kennismontage-hitte-en-klimaat- zeespiegelstijging RVO in-de-stad_2011.pdf www.knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum/uitleg/hittegolf www.rvo.nl/actueel/nieuws/nieuwe-eis-ter-verkleining- www.knmi.nl/over-het-knmi/nieuws/klimaatverandering-in- risico-op-oververhitting-nieuwbouwwoningen De Urbanisten (2012), Proeftuin klimaat in de stad (Testing de-regio-amsterdam ground for city climates). Zaan/IJ-oevers. Final report, 5 www.knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum/uitleg/extreme- Smart Water Management September, 2012. neerslag www.slimwatermanagement.nl/regio/regio-amsterdam- www.knmi.nl/nederland-nu/klimatologie/lijsten/hittegolven rijnkanaal-noordzeekanaal/toekomstbestendig- The Volkskrant newspaper (2017). Wolkenkasten (Sky watersysteem boxes). 31 March, 2017. Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (MRA) http://klimaatverandering-mra.vormgeving.com Photographs: Fotobank, City of Amsterdam Waternet, City of Amsterdam et al. (2017), https://mra.klimaatatlas.net Adaptatiestrategie Waterbestendig Westpoort (Water- Resilient Westpoort Adaptation Strategy). The National Strategy on Spatial Planning and the https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/overheden/vitale-kwetsbare/ Environment (NOVI) pilots-vitaal www.denationaleomgevingsvisie.nl

36 nnexes A 37 must be freed up for cyclists, pedestrians, and public Annex I Context transport (Amsterdam Car-free Agenda). In addition, the City of Amsterdam Executive has formulated the aspiration While making Amsterdam more climate-proof, we that all traffic in built-up areas must be emission-free by must also take account of the other challenges and 2030 (Clean Air Action Plan, 2019). developments that the city is facing. This due to the cohesion involved, and the way in which they influence one Climate neutral another. For example, the growing number of residents We must cut CO2 emissions if we are to limit the average and tourists is placing ever greater pressure on the city’s temperature rise on Earth. Amsterdam, too, must do its bit. public spaces and green areas. This is an added burden, By 2050, we must cut CO2 emissions by 95%, compared when both types of spaces are already under pressure from to 1990 levels. In 2019, various routes were developed climate change. A number of relevant developments are for the following sectors: built environment, transport, listed below. power, industry, and port. The same applies to the City of Amsterdam’s internal organization. Growing number of residents The growing population of the Netherlands is expected to Energy transition number 18.3 million by 2035, one million more than today. Amsterdam is looking ahead. We want the city to be The greatest increase will occur in Amsterdam, where the economical in its use of raw materials, and to switch to population is expected to grow by more than 150,000 by clean energy. Natural gas is responsible for a large part

2035. This represents a growth of almost 20% compared to of our CO2 emissions. Accordingly, it is also contributing 2019. Thus, Amsterdam will have one million inhabitants by to climate change. Amsterdam consumes a lot of natural 2032 (PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency/ gas. Around 90% of the heat generated in companies Statistics Netherlands, 2019). and homes comes from this energy source. The municipal authorities want Amsterdam to be gas-free by 2040. Growing number of tourists The City of Amsterdam wants to deliver the transition Amsterdam is attracting more and more tourists every to renewable energy, together with residents, housing year. Indeed, the Netherlands Bureau for Tourism and corporations, energy suppliers, and grid operators. Conferences expects that, by 2030, the city will have no fewer than 32 million visitors (per year) (NBTC, 2018). Circular economy The transition to a circular economy offers Transport Amsterdam opportunities in the areas of employment,

The city is getting busier. For this reason, Amsterdam science, cutting CO2 emissions, and health. For this reason, is making every effort to free up space for cyclists and the City of Amsterdam is keen to make the city ‘circular’ pedestrians. Air quality is a real concern. For each person in as quickly as possible. The goal is for Amsterdam to be Amsterdam, the current level of air pollution is equivalent a clean city by 2050, one that generates as little non- to smoking more than six cigarettes a day (Clean Air Action recyclable waste as possible. Plan, 2019). If the city is to be made ‘car-free’, then space

38 Annex II Challenge facing the city

The issue of our changing climate can be subdivided into four climate themes, featuring increasingly extreme extremes. It is alternately getting warmer, drier, and wetter. Also, the sea level is rising, making water safety an increasingly important factor.

While each of these individual themes involve distinct and specific risks to the city, they also exhibit a degree of mutual coherence. The weather extremes do not exist in isolation, and the associated risks can reinforce each other.

The task of each individual climate theme is explained below. Each climate-theme-related task is based on the available stress tests and on interviews conducted with official representatives of the municipal organization and What is stress test? the water boards. The topics explored included risks, According to the Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation, all local kinds of buildings and functions in a given area. However, opportunities, and measures. authorities are expected to conduct stress tests, as a way it focuses specifically on so-called vital and vulnerable of identifying the risks posed by the four climate themes. functions. These are functions that are critically important The Delta Plan has the following to say regarding the stress in terms of disaster management, such as the drinking test: water supply. These also include functions that, in the event of failure or a disaster, could result in serious injury to “Stress tests identify an area’s potential vulnerabilities individuals, or that might severely damage the environment in terms of the climate themes. In essence, the test or the economy. involves collecting and creating information concerning the potential future effects of climate change (the ‘stress’ Under the terms of the Delta Plan, the stress test will be placed on the system). The test also combines this updated about once every six years, to ensure that our information with data that has been collected regarding ideas concerning these vulnerabilities remain usable. the extent to which buildings and functions are prone to It has also been agreed that governments will publish the these effects. An investigation is carried out to identify results of the stress tests, to give members of the public potential bottlenecks, and to determine where and when and businesses an insight into the vulnerability of they might occur, within a range of potential climate their own areas.” developments. The stress test concerns both urban and https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/stresstest/bijsluiter rural areas. The stress test examines the vulnerability of all

39 What is heat? A ‘summery day’ is defined as one on which the maximum daytime temperature reaches 25°C or more. Where daytime temperatures reach 30°C or more, the term used is a ‘tropical day’. A period of sustained heat is categorized as a ‘heatwave’ if the KNMI’s weather station at De Bilt records a temperature of 25°C or more for at least five days in a row, and if the maximum temperature is at least 30°C on at least three successive days (KNMI website).

Heat-related task

The Netherlands has experienced rising temperatures in Physiological Equivalent recent years. This is clearly shown by the trend in annual Temperature (PET) average temperatures in Amsterdam since 1950. Since that 32°C time, the temperature has increased by 1.6°C. Winters have 35.5°C 39°C become milder and summers have become warmer. The 42.5°C annual number of summery days is also increasing, which 46°C brings an increased risk of heatwaves (KNMI, 2018).1 The average physiological equivalent temperature (PET) between 12.00 and 18.00 on 1 July 2015 (RIVM, 2019). Source: https://mra.klimaatatlas.net In the current climate, measurements show that the Amsterdam area experiences an average of twenty summery The summer of 2018 was the hottest in recent centuries. measurements and studies have shown that the temperature days per year. By 2085, that number will have risen to forty2. The summer of 2019 included the hottest week ever, when difference between the city and the countryside can be as parts of the Netherlands reached temperatures in excess much as about 12°C (TNO, 2011). Ongoing urbanization and It is useful to compare the number of heat waves in the of 40°C (breaking all previous records). On tropical days densification will only exacerbate the urban heat island effect period from 1980 to the year 2000, to the number in the like this, the city is an urban heat island (see box). Various still further, pushing temperatures even higher. period from the year 2000 to today. There were seven heat waves with a total duration of 62 days in the former period. During the latter period, there were 12 heatwaves with a Urban heat island 3 total duration of 107 days. An urban heat island is created as a result of the properties reduces wind speed, thus reducing the chance that warm of the urban or built-up area. Urban structures consist or cool air masses will move into the area. Cities also have of materials that absorb radiation from the sun as well more anthropogenic heat, which is the heat generated as the radiation reflected from other buildings/objects. by human activities such as industry, households, and In addition, any increase in the paved areas results in a traffic. The heat island effect is particularly noticeable corresponding decrease in green areas/vegetation. This and measurable at night. At these times, the stored heat/ 1 http://klimaatverandering-mra.vormgeving.com reduces the amount of water evaporating from vegetation energy is released into urban areas, so the temperature 2 Based on the measuring station at Schiphol: which, in turn, leads to an increase in the heat island effect. there does not fall as much as it does in rural areas/open http://klimaatchange-mra.vormgeving.com 3 Based on the measuring station at De Bilt: Furthermore, buildings in the city are relatively high, which countryside (TNO, 2011). www.knmi.nl/nederland-nu/klimatologie/lijsten/hittegolven

40 Heat stress The ‘heat island’ effect can trigger heat stress. Heat stress prevents the body from cooling itself down properly. This can produce effects ranging from rash, cramp, fatigue, stroke, and kidney failure to breathing problems. The worst-case scenario is that it can kill you. These are all physiological effects, but heat can also influence human behaviour (aggressiveness, for example) and sleep quality (RIVM, 2019).

Indoor spaces: ••Tropical days can create high temperatures in classrooms and day nurseries. Playgrounds can also become less suitable places in which to play. ••Homes will heat up too. People are unable to get a good night’s sleep, and heat can also lead to health problems. ••Workers and students find it increasingly difficult to concentrate. ••Buildings become less comfortable for their occupants. People are unable to get a good night’s sleep. There is a decline in labour productivity.

Outdoor spaces: ••Heat can damage urban green spaces, such as parks, which further enhances the heat island effect. ••On tropical days, the people of Amsterdam head out en masse, in search of cool spots in the public The risks posed by heat in Amsterdam Health: space (such as parks and bodies of water). This places Interviews (risk dialogues) have been conducted ••Heat impacts people’s health and behaviour. In further pressure on outdoor spaces. with official (expert) representatives of the municipal elderly people, the body’s cooling mechanisms are ••The heat makes outdoor spaces unpleasant areas organization and the water boards. Based on the results of sometimes less effective. In addition, young children in which to spend time, to shop, or to engage in current stress tests, these interviews explored topics such can warm up faster than those in other age groups. recreational activities. as risks, opportunities, and measures. The results of these ••Sunny periods can result in summer smog, which can internal risk dialogues were used to prepare an estimate of trigger an increase in respiratory complaints, such Networks: the impact of heat on Amsterdam. as coughing and shortness of breath, worsening of ••Movable bridges are no longer able to open or close. asthma symptoms, and decreased lung function. This can cause problems for many people, such as ••The above effects can produce significant increases in carriers and the emergency services. hospital admissions.

41 Amendment to the Buildings Decree The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has announced that the Buildings Decree will be amended, as of July 2020. The amended rules are intended to ensure that, even in cases of extreme outdoor heat (in the current climate), the indoor temperature will remain acceptable, without consuming any unnecessary energy. For example, the possibility of extremely high •• temperatures is already being taken into account in construction projects. This eliminates the need for any new solutions to be retrofitted, which would result in increased costs. In July 2020, new regulations will be introduced concerning the maximum amount by which the temperature standard may be exceeded in new- build homes (RVO, 2019).

••There may be increased energy consumption for cooling purposes, or an increased demand for drinking water. This can cause power grids to fail, as key installations become overheated or overloaded. ••Tram tracks and metro rails can expand, causing them to buckle or even snap. This buckling effect can put Emissions: Further details the entire public transport system out of action. ••Heat tends to cause a spike in energy demand, Heat-stress map: due to the increased use of cooling systems, air >https://mra.klimaatatlas.net/ Water quality: conditioners, and drinking water systems. This also Number of warm nights and days, and the heat island effect: ••As the temperature of drinking water increases, has an impact on the power grid. >http://www.klimaateffectatlas.nl/nl so does the risk that its quality will deteriorate. Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences heat mind map: Meanwhile, the demand for drinking water increases Social inequality: >https://www.hittebestendigestad.nl/mindmap during periods of hot weather. ••No-one can escape the impact of climate change, Heat tips by the Municipal Health Department: ••The warming of surface water may cause its quality to but those with less money to spend or who are >https://www.ggd.amsterdam.nl/gezond-wonen/hittetips decrease, thus impacting biodiversity. Other effects, isolated (for various reasons) may be left with the such as blue-green algae blooms, may restrict the short straw. For example, they cannot cool their number of places where people can enjoy a nice cool houses, being less mobile they are unable to travel swim. to cool spots away from their homes, they are less ••During periods of hot weather, the people of able to withstand heat, they have insufficient financial Amsterdam take to the water en masse, even in resources to repair their houses if these have been places where this is not safe (due to water quality damaged by extreme weather, etc. This can further and/or the presence of shipping vessels). aggravate existing social inequalities.

42 Oostzaan Zaanstad Landsmeer Waterland

Drought-related task Amsterdam

We define drought as an extended period of lower than normal rainfall, combined with high levels of evaporation. In the Netherlands, periods of drought are monitored by the Gooise Meren KNMI, based on the potential rainfall deficit (KNMI, 2018). In 2018, we experienced one of the driest summers (top five percent) since the beginning of the last century. The Diemen rainfall deficit at that time was greater than it had been for many years. Moreover, much more water evaporated than Haarlemmermeer was added by rainfall. As a result, the upper layer of the soil contained very little water. Amsterdam’s groundwater Average Lowest Groundwater Level compared to the ground level in Amsterdam level was extremely low. Explanation Amsterdam <0.50 The Average Lowest Groundwater Level (in m below The risks posed by drought in Amsterdam 0.50 - 0.75 ground level) is the difference between ground level el An estimate has been made of the impact of drought 0.75 - 1.00 and the mean groundwater level in dry periods, such as the summer. This mainly focuses on groundwater levels in Amsterdam. This estimate is based on internal risk 1.00 - 1.25 1.25 - 1.50 over the past 10 years. Groundwater levels can fluctuate, dialogues conducted with official (expert) representatives > 1.50 depending on the weather, the diversity of soil structures De Ronde Venen of the municipal organization and the water boards. (such as impermeable clay or highly-permeable sand), Source: Waternet, 2019 obstacles, drains, leaky sewers, etc.

Outdoor spaces: Rural area: ••Drought causes damage to urban green spaces and ••Peat oxidation results in a fall in ground level, making to the local ecology, especially to young trees and it difficult to maintain the existing functions without Dry summer of 2018 plants. causing a further fall in groundwater levels. In Amsterdam, the dry summer of 2018 impacted the ••Drought leads to falling groundwater levels, which ••Moreover, city residents visiting the countryside are city’s green areas. In 2018, an additional € 475,000 was could result in soil subsidence. This can cause green placing these rural areas under increasing recreational spent on irrigation. Despite that, many trees and plants areas, roads, and sewers to subside. pressure. This could result in a shift in these areas’ died. The cost of replacing plants that died in the ••Soil subsidence reduces the infiltration space. This use and function. drought of 2018 is estimated to be € 1,400,000. This estimate is based on the assumption that 25% of the may impact organisms that live in the soil, by causing vegetation (both younger and older plants) in the city’s worm burrows to collapse, for example. green areas will die off. ••Drought can cause road surfaces to subside and crack.

43 Further details Grondwater in Amsterdam (Groundwater in Amsterdam): >https://www.waternet.nl/ons-water/grondwater >https://www.waternet.nl/ons-water/grondwater/ grondwateronderlast Spatial Adaptation: Construction: >https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/informatie/droogte ••Some buildings have foundations consisting of >https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/stresstest/bijsluiter/droogte wooden piles; if these dry out they can start to rot. KNMI: Also, the dried-out soil can stick to these wooden >https://www.knmi.nl/over-het-knmi/nieuws/toekomstige- foundations, causing houses to subside. zomers-mogelijk-droger-dan-gedacht ••Soil subsidence that may, to some extent, be a National Water and Climate Knowledge and Innovation result of drought can cause houses with ‘staal’ (see Programme footnote) foundations to subside asymmetrically. : >https://waterenklimaat.nl/wp-content/uploads/ Water quality: sites/35/2017/10/Droge-Kost-KBS.pdf ••The reduced rainfall during periods of prolonged The water boards’ knowledge centre (Foundation for drought means that urban water is less diluted, thus Applied Water Research STOWA): increasing the concentrations of any pollutants. The >https://www.stowa.nl/deltafacts/zoetwatervoorziening/ effects of this include a fall in water quality (including aanpassen-aan-klimaatverandering/droogte-en-hitte- the quality of water at swimming locations), which de-stad entails health risks. Foundations: ••Salinization is increasing. >https://www.amsterdam.nl/veelgevraagd/?productid=%7B 25B5FBF7-2336-4F0F-95BF-553409FB7F12%7D Emissions: Drought poses major risks to our living environment and ••The soil of peat meadow areas around the city is to water quality. At the same time, there is a need for subsiding, causing peat to dry out and oxidize. This greater knowledge and awareness – at both a social and oxidation process releases extra methane, which a professional level – of the issues involved. In the case of amplifies the effects of climate change. many potential measures, it is not yet clear that these will actually be able to solve this problem. For instance, where Networks: and for which types of foundation would it be cost effective ••Pipes and network cables can subside, causing them to actively supplement groundwater via underground to sag and become damaged. infrastructure (infiltration drains) in the public space, in ••Shallow fairways can make life difficult for maritime order to maintain the groundwater level around these freight services. foundations? As this depends on the type of material used to raise the level of the ground, it would not be feasible in every part of the city. We need to learn more, to be able to make the right decisions.

44 can be drained away. The city’s sewage system is one of the factors in this equation. It is not always able to handle large amounts of water in a short space of time. Another major factor is the extent of paved areas. More paving results in less water being able to infiltrate the soil, and this has the potential to cause greater damage.

The risks posed by extreme rainfall in Amsterdam In recent years, the Rainproof network has hosted a Bottlenecks number of meetings with a range of partners. In addition, Extremely urgent much has been learned about this subject. Based on this, Very urgent an estimate has been prepared of the impact of extreme Urgent rainfall on Amsterdam. Source: Amsterdam Rainproof, https://maps.amsterdam.nl/rainproof Outdoor spaces: ••The river Amstel and the canals make up the main drainage system, but they are already at the limit of Esri Nede their capacity. An extremely heavy downpour can overload this system and cause flooding, mainly in Waterlogging-related task and damage during extremely heavy downpours. Rainwater the more low-lying parts of the city, including the Rain is part and parcel of life in Amsterdam. bottlenecks are streets or neighbourhoods (or areas within parks and the Noord neighbourhood. If green areas The trend in recent years, however, has them) that are at increased (or very high) risk of such remain submerged for too long, many of the trees been toward increasingly frequent showers involving brief waterlogging and damage during extreme rainfall. and plants there may die. periods of very intense rainfall, mainly in the summer. The ••If rainfall cannot flow away effectively, then streets risk of extremely heavy downpours will double in the run- As yet, the city is unable to cope effectively with extremely become flooded. This can cause damage to up to 2050 (source: KNMI).4 heavy downpours. Downpours like this are relatively recent paved areas and/or make roads impassable (even The map shown above indicates sites in Amsterdam that phenomena. When the city was being built, no allowance temporarily). are at high risk of waterlogging was made for such intense rainfall. The risk of waterlogging and damage is dependent on the rate at which rainwater from an extremely heavy downpour 4 www.knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum/uitleg/extreme-neerslag

45 Construction: ••If rainfall cannot drain away effectively, inflowing water will damage basements, homes, shops, businesses and schools.

Networks: ••Flooded streets adversely impact accessibility within the city. Buses and trams may be unable to run, and the emergency and support services will not have full access to some areas. ••Extreme rainfall may result in the failure of vital functions, such as the power supply to hospitals or pumping stations. This can then resonate along the chain, as the failure of vital functions can also cause other systems to fail. Some of these effects are temporary in nature, but they may give rise to others that persist for longer periods of time. ••Public escalators (at metro stations, for example) Further details cannot handle large amounts of rainfall. As a result, Map showing rainwater bottlenecks: these are increasingly out of operation, which reduces >https://maps.amsterdam.nl/rainproof/?LANG=nl the accessibility of the stations. Rainproof: >www.rainproof.nl Water quality: >www.rainproof.nl/regenbestendigegebiedsontwikkeling ••Extremely heavy downpours also impact the quality KNMI: of the surface water, when untreated water is >www.knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum/uitleg/extreme- discharged via overflows. This poses health risks for neerslag anyone engaging in recreational activities in these The water boards’ knowledge centre (Foundation for areas. Applied Water Research STOWA): For that reason, the City Swim was cancelled in 2018. >www.stowa.nl/nieuws/neerslaggebeurtenissen-voor- stresstest-vastgesteld Spatial Adaptation: >https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/samen/klimaatbestendig/ tuinen Cooperation within the ‘network society’: >www.destraad.nl

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A A A Flood-risk-related task Amsterdam

The Netherlands is a low-lying delta, which is why it has traditionally been prone to flooding. Over the centuries, people have constructed a Gooise Meren system to ensure that the country stays high and dry. This system consists of flood-defence systems (dykes, dams, and dunes) and sophisticated water level management. Diemen Pumping stations discharge excess water from low-lying land (polders) and, in some places, they also discharge Haarlemmermeer water from larger bodies of water to the sea and to the IJsselmeer/Markermeer lakes. Legend No significant risk of flooding These flood defence systems, coupled with measures to Extremely small risk: <1/30,000 per year Amsterdam Weesp Very small risk: 1/3,000 to 1/30,000 per year Amstelveen give rivers more space, have minimized the risk of flooding. Small risk: 1/300 to 1/3,000 per year Ouder-Amstel Standards concerning the maximum risk of a flood defence system being breached are laid down in legislation and The annual flood risk, per person per location, is referred to as the ‘site-specific flood risk’. This map shows the site-specificAa lsfloodmeer risk for 2050, with a minimum water depth of 0 cm, regulations. Sea level rise and soil subsidence, plus an caused by a breach in a primary or regional flood defence system. De Ronde Venen increase in the number of people and the amount of capital protected by the flood defence systems will more often Source: www.klimaateffectatlas.nl/nl lead to dyke improvements and adjustments to the water system. These interventions ensure that the risk of flooding North Sea (via IJmuiden), the river Lek, the Markermeer place, there is only a minor risk of flooding. However, when remains the same. However, there is an increasing impact lake, and the regional water systems (City of Amsterdam they do occur, floods can have an enormous impact. If the on space, while the consequences of a potential breach are et al. 2012). The water system is reaching its limits. It only flood defence systems or structures within them, such as trending upwards. At the same time, climate change will has a limited degree of flexibility, in terms of the capacity locks, weirs, and inlets, should fail, or if any dykes should cause the limits of the water system to be reached more needed to deal with extremes.5 Deep polders (low-lying be breached, then public life will be disrupted. Large parts quickly. Sea level rise makes the discharge of excess water land), such as the Watergraafsmeer neighbourhood, are the of the city could then be flooded.6 Floods cause substantial to the sea more difficult, while heavy downpours will cause areas most vulnerable to flooding. Nevertheless, people economic damage and social disruption. It often takes the water system to fill up faster. The buffering capacity have only a very limited awareness of the flood risks. months or even years to repair the damage, as shown by of the water system in this densely populated area is very the flooding of New Orleans in 2007 (due to Hurricane limited. As a result, these events will more quickly lead to Thanks to the measures that have already been put in Katrina). waterlogging.

Amsterdam can potentially be flooded by water from the 5 www.slimwatermanagement.nl/regio/regio-amsterdam-rijnkanaal- noordzeekanaal/toekomstbestendig-watersysteem 6 www.klimaateffectatlas.nl

47 Supporting efforts to deal with flood risks: also important for Amsterdam Flood risks appear to be mainly the concern of the water planning takes too little account these risks. The same authorities. After all, it is they who are responsible for applies to the investment decisions taken by companies. maintaining the dykes. Strict standards ensure that the risk There are many opportunities for improvement, especially of flooding in the Netherlands is very small. So small, in with regard to vital and vulnerable infrastructure. The fact, that we find it difficult to imagine that a flood could mutual dependencies of vital functions mean that a flood ever occur. As a result, spatial planning in the Netherlands can quickly lead to social disruption. This makes investing takes scant account of any flood risks. in flood-impact mitigation all the more worthwhile. Deep polders (low-lying land) in Amsterdam, such as the Flood risks for Amsterdam Following a number of events in other countries, such as Watergraafsmeer neighbourhood, are the most vulnerable An estimate has been made of the impact of floods the flood in New Orleans, we have begun to appreciate areas in this regard. in Amsterdam. This is based on internal risk dialogues that we need to do more than just keep our dykes in good order. We also need to consider ways in which We already have some excellent examples of flood-impact conducted with official (expert) representatives of the sustainable spatial planning, combined with adequate mitigation. The Equinix data centre in the Watergraafsmeer municipal organization and the water boards. crisis management, can help to make us safer, by limiting neighbourhood has installed all of its vital functions at the impacts of potential floods. We also refer to this as elevated levels (The Volkskrant newspaper 2017), and the Society/Economy: ‘multi-layered safety’ or ‘flood-impact mitigation’. Thus, new wastewater treatment plant under construction in ••Social disruption and economic damage, due to municipalities, provincial authorities, and private parties will Weesp has a water-resilient design. Its electrical systems factors such as the failure of vital functions. all have a part to play in delivering water safety. are situated well above floor level, to ensure that its ••Long recovery times, as it can take weeks or months pumping station will continue to operate in the event of a We have explored the options for our region by means flood. This means it can also help to pump out the polder. before the water has drained away and the area is of various pilot projects in Amsterdam (The Waterproof accessible once again. Only then can work start on City (City of Amsterdam et al. 2012), Zaan-IJoevers, The challenge is to ensure that opportunities for flood- the actual recovery. Water-Resilient Westpoort (City of Amsterdam et al. 2013; impact mitigation are not limited to just a few cases, but ••The recovery of vital functions is slow, as some parts 2017; Waternet)) since this approach was first introduced. that these are taken into account, as standard, during have long lead times. We also work closely with those in other cities, sharing the process of spatial planning. Flood risks must also be details of the lessons we have learned. The pilot projects considered when selecting sites for vital and vulnerable Infrastructure/outdoor spaces: have shown that people have only a limited awareness of functions, such as data centres, hospitals, and fire brigade the flood risks. This has the knock-on effect that spatial facilities. ••Substantial damage to roads, railway embankments, pumping stations, electrical cabinets, paved areas, green areas, plants, etc. can then resonate along the so-called ‘chain’, as the Further details Construction: failure of vital functions can also cause other systems Maps at the climate impact atlas site: ••Substantial damage to homes, shops, business to fail, such as public transport, hospitals, and >www.klimaateffectatlas.nl premises, offices, school buildings, etc. payments. These so-called ‘chain effects’ can often Amsterdam Rhine Canal/North Sea Canal area: cause the impact of floods to be felt far beyond the >www.slimwatermanagement.nl/regio/regio-amsterdam- Networks: areas that were actually flooded. rijnkanaal-noordzeekanaal/toekomstbestendig- ••Flooded streets, roads, and tunnels cause the city (or ••If the water level in the North Sea Canal were to rise watersysteem parts of it) to become inaccessible both to the public even slightly, to about -0.15 metres, this would be and to the emergency and support services. enough to cause problems in the city centre. This ••Flooding will cause vital functions such as power, makes the North Sea Canal buffer system vulnerable, telecommunications, district heating, sewage and limits its flexibility in terms of permissible water systems, etc. to fail. The failure of vital functions level rises.

48 Task coherence

Agreements on climate adaptation tasks The tasks resulting from the four climate themes have much in common, but there are also differences. This cohesiveness and these differences will impact both individual areas and the city as a whole, in terms of efforts to make them as climate-proof as possible. For example, drought makes it more difficult to deal with heat, as less evaporation takes place during droughts. As a result, there is less cooling, which increases the demand for water even further. To make the city heat resilient, a link must be made between drought problems and waterlogging. For example, the soil can be used as a buffer to prevent waterlogging. The stored rainwater can then be used during droughts and/or periods of hot weather, for example. Planting trees under optimal growing conditions can be an effective option.

At the same time, the subsurface is becoming increasingly full. Climate-adaptive measures, such as planting green areas or installing infiltration crates, are placing extra pressure on that subsurface. That capacity is no longer generally available. This means that we have to cooperate with parties such as energy suppliers, to ensure that certain facilities are able to fulfil multiple functions. considerable knowledge in the areas of impact and of the as for networks (pipes, roads) due to soil subsidence. options for limiting the effects of flooding. However, there Moreover, this theme involves considerable legal Differences between climate-adaptation tasks is still a lack of awareness and of tangible action. With complexity. The foundations and the groundwater under One of the differences between the climate challenges regard to heat, however, our knowledge is still insufficient, the house are the responsibility of the homeowner, but is the level of knowledge involved. As a result of the not least in areas such as indoor temperature. There are anything involving the public space is the responsibility of Rainproof programme, a great deal of knowledge also questions about drought, as its impact differs greatly the city authorities. Yet groundwater is a single, common about extreme rainfall events is already available within from one area another, and because complex relationships system, so these different areas are in communication with Amsterdam. Thus, the risks and opportunities concerned are involved. For instance, a low groundwater level can one another. have already been specified in greater detail. We also have cause problems for green areas and foundations, as well

49 Online transparency concerning at-risk areas The results obtained from the stress test for extreme rainfall were used to create the rainwater bottleneck map. This is accessible online to everyone in Amsterdam, at https://maps.amsterdam.nl. Details concerning the effect of climate stress (drought, waterlogging) on the city’s groundwater level will also be made available here before the end of the year. To The Rainproof programme has already hosted various are the 19th century ring of districts, and the 20th century better understand the heat problem, the Amsterdam social dialogues involving the waterlogging task, which ‘20-40 ring’. The city centre has a more robust construction. Metropolitan Area (MRA) has developed a map has generated a great deal of support. The other climate At that time, the city was still exposed to the rise and fall showing the physiological equivalent temperature challenges require more extensive coordination with of the tides, so the tops of the wooden piles were buried on a warm summer’s day in the MRA: www.mra. klimaatatlas.net. In addition, details of site-specific partners in the city. With regard to heat, drought, and more deeply, to ensure that they would not dry out at low flood risks can be viewed atwww.klimaateffectatlas. waterlogging, these are mainly partners at the municipal tide. nl. Finally, the Amstel, Gooi en Vecht water board has scale. However, when it comes to the risk of flooding, it investigated the impact of climate stress on water is important that, in addition to partners at the municipal The structure of the soil is another major factor in quality and on waterlogging due to surface water. The level, the regional authorities or even the government determining whether or not a given area is climate-proof. water board has made this information available at should be involved (for instance, the North Sea/IJmuiden, The neighbourhood of Landelijk Noord, the rural parts of https://agv.klimaatatlas.net. Accordingly, the people the river Lek, the Markermeer lake, regional water systems, the Nieuw-West neighbourhood, and Amstelscheg (one of of Amsterdam will be able to access all such maps online. gas networks, and the power grid). the city’s green ‘wedges’) each face a specific challenge, as they are all peat meadow areas. It makes good sense for Spatial differences each of these areas to adopt the regional approach to soil The severity of challenges in the areas of heat, drought, subsidence, as formulated by the provincial authorities and Public-private waterlogging, and flood risk vary from one part of the water boards. Different types of soil have been used Finally, all four challenges require commitment from both Amsterdam to another. This is mainly due to the historical to raise the level of the ground over the years. As a result, public and private parties. This is because climate stress is phases of urban development, and to the decisions made some areas are more prone to waterlogging or drought affecting the entire city. The ratio of private land to public in this regard. Amsterdam is prone to flooding from the than others. land in Amsterdam is about fifty-fifty8, if the total surface North Sea (IJmuiden), the river Lek, the Markermeer lake, area of water in the city is excluded. This means that and the regional water systems (City of Amsterdam et Unlike the challenge posed by drought, spatial differences private parties are key players in terms of dealing with this al. 2012). Low-lying areas (such as the Watergraafsmeer in terms of the heat challenge in outdoor spaces can differ challenge. This includes numerous individual owners, who neighbourhood) are more vulnerable to flooding than from one street to another, or even from one part of a may or may not be members of homeowners associations. other sites. In terms of drought, areas featuring structures street to another part of that same street. The amounts of They might not own the land itself, but they do own the with wooden foundations and ‘staal’7 foundations are shade and space, as well as the use of materials, all have structures built in it or upon it. This means that they also particularly vulnerable. Wooden pile foundations are found a part to play here. Heat in indoor spaces involves factors have ownership of a problem of which they may, as yet, in large areas of Amsterdam. The most vulnerable of these such as the insulation value, the design of the facade be unaware. Furthermore, they may or may not consider (glass), the compass direction in which the glass is facing, themselves to be owners of this problem. and the type of roof (flat roof, black bitumen). 7 This is also the Dutch word for steel, but there is no steel involved here. This term is derived from the Old German word ‘stal’, which means ‘firm place’. In practice, ‘staal’ foundations involve walls that rest directly on the soil (or with a few beams in between, at most). 8 www.ois.amsterdam.nl/downloads/pdf/2019_kerncijfers.pdf

50 Strategy for climate adaptation Amsterdam

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