Climate-robust design: toward a Weerbaar Dommelland
What and why?
The project focuses upon restoring a robust and resilient water system in the Dommel and Warmbeek-Tongelreep river basins in Belgian and Dutch Limburg. This is necessary in order to manage the impact of climate extremes, such as peak rains and prolonged droughts. The increased vulnerability of areas to both water scarcity and flooding due to climate change and intensive land use emphasises the need for a Resilient Dommelland.
The project aligns with regional water and soil programmes and contributes to a cross-border approach to water resources management.
Targets?
Creation of a climate-robust landscape capable of both ensuring water availability and increasing protection against flooding. That includes making adaptations and system changes across the landscape in order to support a sustainable and connected water system.
Role of VMM
VMM plays a crucial role as the water authority responsible for implementing measures upon the watercourses.
Specifically, the VMM is restoring the river valley of the Dommel on the border of Pelt, Hechtel-Eksel and Peer by reconnecting meanders and raising the river bed. As a result, we keep water in the valley for a longer time and restore the peat there. We also increase the buffer capacity of (or: optimise) the controlled flood plain (GOG) in Pelt. For example, we are putting a maximum effort into water storage in order to reduce flood risks. The projects of the VMM in this Interreg Vlaned project implement some of the actions in the Dommel River Contract.
More information on the project
Partners
The partners active in the project represent a mix of the different levels of government and authority.
- Flanders Environment Agency (coordinator)
- The municipality of Eindhoven
- The municipality of Pelt
- The municipality of Valkenswaard
- The province of North Brabant
- The city of Peer
- The Dommel Water Board
- Foundation Eindhoven Museum
The project is funded by the European Interreg Flanders-Netherlands programme and will run from 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2027.
