Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT

Level Awareness
Duration 30 hours
Course by Delft University of Technology
Total students 561 enrolled
Offered by

About

With a long history of disasters and years of dealing with the challenges posed by water, the Netherlands has accumulated essential knowledge about water management and specifically of rivers. This course will share with you this knowledge gleaned over more than a decade under the Dutch government's "Room for the River" program, started in 2007. The goal of this program was to manage higher water levels in rivers, while restoring the river's natural flood plain in places where it is least harmful in order to protect those areas that need protection. All this in the context of the changing characteristics of rivers in times of climate change.

While the practical experience gained from this program is derived from cases in the Netherlands, it also applies to other countries that build their social, ecological and economic prosperity on what rivers bring them. It will be most beneficial for water managers, river engineers, landscape designers and policy makers who seek more knowledge surrounding analysis, design and development of river and delta solutions.

The specific skills gained in this course are in the design of engineering interventions; stakeholder analysis and balancing economic benefits with safe living conditions, ecological quality and attractive landscapes. You will also understand the impact of climate change and will be introduced to approaches to deal with the long-term dynamics and uncertainties that rivers bring.

We offer you the opportunity to learn from our experiences and apply it on your own river and we also aim to learn from you. The course is structured as an exchange, with a strong focus on analysis and design.

What you will learn

To examine a river (watershed) and a problem area (project level) from the perspectives of hydraulic engineering, governance and landscape design
Module 1: To investigate a river (watershed) and a problem area (project level) by considering large spatial scales (from source to sea) considering the historical developments and long-term horizons;
Module 2: To appreciate a river as a system with up- and downstream relationships between human interventions and water levels
Module 3: To understand how stakeholders play a role in river basin management processes and even sometimes effect changes to designs
Module 4: To discover the potential role of landscape design in accommodating various societal functions, including water safety, over short- and long-term time horizons;
Module 5: to understand the intricacies of bringing together water safety, governance and spatial quality aspects into one integrated program with a long-term planning perspective.

Skills you learn

Syllabus

Module 1 - Introduction: the river as persona
Scale: Watershed
(Inter)Disciplinary perspective: integrated problem focus

Module 2 - A water safety issue?
Scale: From watershed to project scales
Disciplinary perspective: Hydraulic Engineering

Module 3 - A governance issue?
Scale: Project scale (problem area)
Disciplinary perspective: governance

Module 4 - A spatial quality issue?
Scale: Project scale (problem area)
Disciplinary perspective: spatial design

Module 5 - Room for rivers: an integrated approach
Scale: Watershed
(Inter)Disciplinary perspective: program architecture

Auto Summary

Discover the art of river basin management with "Room for Rivers: Perspectives on River Basin Management" from edX. Focused on science and engineering, this 30-hour course shares the Netherlands' extensive experience in water management, particularly under the "Room for the River" program. Ideal for water managers, river engineers, landscape designers, and policymakers, it covers engineering interventions, stakeholder analysis, and climate change impacts. Gain professional insights and practical skills to apply globally, balancing economic benefits, safety, and ecological quality. Available through a professional subscription, this course is perfect for those seeking to enhance their knowledge and expertise.