October 5, 2020
Droughts in Rotterdam
With Climate Change, the frequency and intensity of droughts hitting the city of Rotterdam is increasing with time. 2019 was the third consecutive dry year in a row. With drought, comes a number of problems such as low water level in the Maas river which is the biggest source of drinking water for the city of Rotterdam (80%) and it effects the water quality, reduction in shipping capacity, weakening of dikes, salt intrusion, lowering of groundwater level which could lead to subsidence, etc. A concept map provided in the report highlights the STE (Social, Technological & Ecological) impacts of droughts on the city of Rotterdam. Possible solution practices include increasing the infiltration capacity of the city through blue-green networks, bioswales, vertical gardens, spraying water on dikes, building rainwater harvesting and storage infrastructure. Importance should also be given to the ethical implications of the solution strategies and also the usage of monitoring techniques to help mitigate any adverse effects of a potential disaster. The report also includes some links for further reading which covers a wide horizon of topics related to the effect and mitigation of droughts on the city of Rotterdam and the scope of public private responsibilities for climate change.