Design workshop climate change adaptation buffer zones 
How can we utilise rural areas surrounding our cities to accommodate urban excess water and to offer space to combat the urban heat island effect in 2050?

The Amsterdam International Water Week will take place from the 4th until the 8th of November. During this week experts from all around the world will come together to form a strong community and to cooperate in order to find solutions to global water issues. The province of Noord-Holland, a sponsor of this major event, is hosting an expert session on climate change adaptation buffer zones. These buffer zones are needed to accommodate the additional rainfall due to climate change in 2050.

Prior to the International Water Week, the province is hosting a design workshop for students and young professionals on Friday November 1^st. The theme and main question will be the same as during the expert session: how can we utilise rural areas surrounding our cities to provide a solution for climate change in urban areas?

There are many issues within urban areas which are putting a claim on limited space. In order to combat the housing shortage there is a need for urban densification, which also leads to mobility issues. This means there is less space in which measures should be taken to adapt to climate change. Therefore, a part of the solution may lie outside the urban area, at the fringes of the city, where urbanity meets its rural surrounding. How can these borders function as buffer zones, contribute to climate change adaptation of cities and how can they be used to serve multiple purposes (biodiversity, recreation, decreasing soil subsidence)?

Are you excited to turn your ideas into possible solutions regarding buffer zones? Or are you interested in exploring questions on how these areas could function, how they could be used or what they could look like, by using design? Then do not hesitate and register for the design workshop! Fun fact, results of the design workshop will be addressed at the AIWW expert session.

Registration is open until Wednesday 23^rd of October. There is a maximum of 25 participants. You can register by sending an email to ramkisors@noord-holland.nl, including the following information:

–       Your study programme

–       Name of University and faculty

–       Field(s) of interest

Practical information:

What?                  Design workshop climate change adaptation buffer zones

When?                 November 1st 2019, from 10:00 until 17:00 (ending with drinks!)

Where?               Haarlem, information on the location will follow

Language?          English

Need to bring?  Interest in climate change adaptation, spatial design, water system, ecology etc.

Register?            Until Wednesday 23^rd of October, you can register by sending an email to ramkisors@noord-holland.nl