Retrospect
and forward looking
Looking back
over a period of over 25 years and at the same time looking
forward, a few observations can be made. Good plans have
their roots in the past and are pointing to the future.
Using the achievements of the past, we are able to meet the
challenges of the future. Taking into consideration
Integrated Coastal Policy via Building with Nature our
concern has been, not only with plans – based on relatively
simple and clear principles – but also with processes. Each
case involves an integrated design, followed by its
execution fully based on the environment, using the most
advanced, well thought-out techniques, whilst applying the
lessons that the environment – including nature – teach us.
It is noteworthy that the overall investments and
maintenance costs of the method based on these principles
are significantly lower than those of methods that neither
use an integrated approach nor use the environment as a
basis. Furthermore, the method Building with Nature
improves the environment and simultaneously strengthens the
economy as well.
Building with Nature, in addition to Conservation of
Nature, will become even more significant in the future. It
will not only be absolutely necessary for solving existing
and future problems but it will also create added value and
help regain lost values. The Environment – including Nature
– constitutes the foundation and support for present and
future existence.
Broad
support
Over the course of years, the necessity of an Integrated
Coastal Policy via Building with Nature has become more
apparent, not only in Europe but also elsewhere in the
world. Remarkable, but not surprising, is that in this
period of time broad support for these principles at a
global level has been gained. The developed concept has
proven to be applicable in a large number of countries in
coastal and delta areas. Even in areas far removed from
coasts and deltas, these concepts are applicable for
natural as well as artificial waterfront developments, and
methods similar to Integrated Coastal Policy via Building
with Nature are being implemented.
Reshaping
the coast of Holland
Integrated Coastal Policy via Building
with Nature has proven to be a cutting-edge technology to
provide the Dutch provinces of Zuid-Holland and
Noord-Holland with a sustainable future. See in
this 15min documentary
the total scope of Ronald
Waterman’s contribution.