Water Construction Day 2013: hydraulic engineering and prosperity
Description
On Tuesday 26 November, De Doelen in Rotterdam will host the Water Construction Day 2013. This year's theme is: Hydraulic Engineering Prosperity.
Hydraulic engineering projects can give an enormous boost to the economy. That was already true in the 18th century when many large peat lakes were drained, and it is still true in the 21st century. Maasvlakte 2 has just been built and should now generate revenue, but what other projects can boost our economy? During the Waterbouwdag 2013, you will be challenged to come up with and present innovative and economically useful projects!
Around 1800, Rotterdam was surrounded by ponds. Due to the extraction of peat in the area, the city had become an island and every storm threatened its survival. At a good time, people took courage and in 1816 King Willem I decided to have the gigantic Zuidplas drained. In 1840, the work was completed.
The Prince Alexanderpolder was realised between 1865 and 1874 by draining 14 peat lakes. This made 2,660 ha of farmland available. These two gigantic projects for the time gave the economy a huge boost. Moreover, people then also dared to tackle the giant Haarlemmermeer. Hydraulic engineering led to prosperity.
A more recent example of the economic violence of projects and inventions is the container, conceived around 1953. Already on its first voyage, costs were found to have fallen from $6/t to $0.20/t; a factor of 30. Insurance costs fell by a factor of 6. The container was a must-have and a huge ship and water construction boom followed. It is also a major driver of our increase in prosperity over the last half century.
Projects with benefits exceeding costs are needed to kick-start the economy. Maasvlakte 1 was an example and Maasvlakte 2 has just been completed and should now start generating new revenues. A number of major lock projects to promote inland and maritime shipping are in the pipeline, the Afsluitdijk is being addressed and the diversion of the Zuid-Willemsvaart is in full swing. The big question is what else we can undertake. Apart from perfectly maintaining the flood defences, ideas are lacking.
Yet it is of national importance to come up with projects that will pull the Netherlands out of the crisis. That is why we are setting aside time at the Waterbouwdag 2013 to launch new projects for prosperity.
For whom
Every year, the Waterbouwdag is the event for the Dutch and Flemish hydraulic engineering sector. This day is intended for clients, consultancies and contractors, but also provides a platform for students and young professionals.
What is the benefit?
During this day, you will meet fellow professionals and learn about new developments during lectures and workshops and at the information market. Students and young professionals make contacts that are important for their (future) jobs and their further careers
Location
Organiser
Construction and Hydraulic Engineering
SBRCURnet, RWS, IE-net, Ver.Waterbouwers
Name and contact details for information
Department of Building and Hydraulic Engineering, Mr. Cuno Langeveld, cuno.langeveld@vanoord.nl
Register via
You can register via the SBR website: http://www.sbr.nl/producten/bijeenkomsten-en-cursussen/waterbouwdag-2013