Other projects

Bangkok is one of the fast growing megacities. Currently 15 million people, a very rapid growth, and an insufficient planning and insufficient climate change adaptation strategies.

Very dynamic and powerful drivers increase the pressure on Bangkok and similar cities. An almost uncontrolled population growth, increasing and conflicting claims on space and the environment, linked with climate stress such as increased precipitation and increasing sea levels make these megacities the main social, environmental and economic challenges of the 21st century.

In a joint research project with Thai partners as Chulalongkorn university, Kasetsart university and Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Bangkok we link the dynamics of urban expansion with the sustainablility challenges. The aim is to develop a comprehensive model focusing on integration of urban dynamics and the dynamics forced by climate change and urban water management. 

Generating support for cost-effective restoration of ecosystems for water buffering in middle mountain regions. The aim is to establish a market for Blue EcoServices. The water buffer capacity in upstream areas is a blue product that can be sold to potential downstream clients, such as water managers or regional authorities searching for greener water management alternatives. Partners: Bureau Stroming, WWF The Netherlands, Wetlands International

EU Quality Assurance Expert on Yellow River Basin Climate Change Scenario Development. The Yellow River basin is under huge stress. The demand for water is exceeding supply. The economic growth leads to a decrease in water quality, and the growing urban population results in increasing water demands. Erosion (natural and man-induced) yields high sediment loads, with new and existing reservoirs silting up rapidly. Global Climate Change intensifies these challenges. 

The scenarios describe this system as becoming under even more pressure. This project aims at a structured picture of the pressures and challenges, and at giving policy recommendations.