Eight Dutch climate change experts participated in a 4-day workshop in West Palm Beach (USA). They had been invited by the Dutch Consulate in Miami and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
DHV was present with two experts. The Dutch participated under the umbrella of the Netherlands Water Partnership. The management area of the SFWMD shows several similarities with the Netherlands. It is slightly larger, is also flat, at low sea-level and under the pressure of sea level rise, salt water intrusion, growing flooding risks and fresh water shortages, rapid urban and rural development and blessed with unique wetlands.
After workshops a collaboration agreement was signed between the South Florida Water Management District, the Dutch Consulate and the Netherlands Water Partnership. There was much interest in the Climate Adaptation Atlas, the Nature Driven Design approach, the Risk Assessment of the Coastal Zone (the weak link approach) and Phosphorous Removal Knowledge. This is a basis for further cooperation with South Florida.