The Netherlands is the water country. Rivers, lakes, canals, dikes, coasts and the sea together form a unique landscape shaped by both nature and people. This landscape is constantly changing due to societal developments and climate change. As a result, there is growing attention for flood safety, sufficient and clean water, heat stress, drought and water nuisance.
Our water system lies in a densely populated delta and has a long history. Thanks to centuries‑old water board governance and close cooperation within society, a refined and unique system has emerged. The water landscape brings both challenges and solutions. Think of dike safety and protection against high water, but also improving water quality and ensuring sufficient water availability. Climate change plays a major role in all of this. We must learn to deal with drought, heat stress, waterlogging, salinisation and subsidence.
Decisio supports public authorities with a wide range of water‑related issues. We carry out policy evaluations, programme evaluations, audit office research, business cases and social cost‑benefit analyses.
In the Netherlands, we work continuously on the safety of our coasts and dikes. Through the High Water Protection Programme, the national government and water boards invest in strong flood defences to meet safety standards. Decisio supports the national government, provinces and water boards in these tasks. For example, we assess the costs and benefits of dike reinforcement projects, also considering opportunities for agriculture, nature, the environment, recreation and tourism. We also regularly evaluate policies and subsidy schemes.
Many organisations are working on the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), which aims to improve the quality of groundwater and surface water. Water quality and sufficient water availability are therefore frequent topics in our research. We conduct policy evaluations and social cost‑benefit analyses, among other studies.
The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible. Higher temperatures, drought and heavy rainfall have major consequences for nature, infrastructure, cities and agriculture. In our research and advice, questions about heat stress, prolonged drought and extreme water nuisance are receiving more and more attention. We examine the societal impacts and explore potential solutions.
Evaluation of Water Act Amendments on flood safety in 2014 and 2017
The future of the Almelo–De Haandrik Canal: inland shipping as a key to a sustainable living environment
More control needed over costs and risks within the High Water Protection Programme (HWBP) subsidy scheme