This meeting takes place online

Effects of drought in Leeuwarden

Droughts are becoming more frequent. What is the impact of drought on the city (housing, infrastructure and green spaces) of Leeuwarden? A presentation of the results of a study done by BZ Ingenieurs together with the municipality of Leeuwarden.

Leeuwarden municipality needed to identify the risks of drought for the built-up area: the risks of lower groundwater levels due to climate change on ground level decline, buildings, infrastructure and green spaces. Using a groundwater climate analysis on 220 monitoring wells of the municipal groundwater monitoring network, the changes in groundwater levels due to climate change were determined for each monitoring well from the groundwater monitoring network. In other words, how much will the groundwater level rise in winter and fall in summer 2050. In areas susceptible to subsidence, a drop in low groundwater levels causes subsidence of the ground surface. The ground level decline was then calculated at the neighbourhood level.

The drop in groundwater levels and subsidence may cause additional risks: subsidence and cracking of houses and infrastructure. For greenery, an increase in mortality and an increase in management costs.

BZ, together with the municipality with working sessions, used the experiences of the dry summers of 2018, 2019 and 2020 to draw up risk matrices for drought risks for buildings, infrastructure and green spaces. This was put on a map that provided insight into where which drought risks occur due to climate change. Finally, based on these risks, the potential financial losses have been determined.

On Tuesday 25 October, BZ will explain the approach and results of the drought study. The municipality of Leeuwarden will explain the reason for this study and how they use and apply the results within the municipality.

Speakers: Vincent van der Neut (Leeuwarden municipality) and Maaike Klein Overmeen (BZ I&M)

Participation is free of charge. Non-members are also welcome. Register via the KIVI website.