The “Space for Water” strategic plan: more than just dams

Dender Road – Cooperation between different authorities and a group of different measures and projects is the only solution to prevent floods in the Dinder Valley. Flemish Public Works Minister Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) wants to appoint an observer as coordinator.

After the floods of 2010, the Flemish government initially decided to renew the dams and modernize the Dender River between Aalst and Dundermond. Although these measures are part of the solution, much more is still required.

substitute

For this reason, but also because of the administrative fragmentation and complex water problems in the Dunder Valley, Vlaamsee Waterwig, the Department of the Environment, the Province of East Flanders and the municipalities of Dunder have collaborated to develop a strategic plan. Space for water To draw: a coherent vision of the valley's water system.

The alternative, which currently appears to be the most effective based on research results, includes the following points:

• Giving more space to the river between cities;
• Protecting cities and villages with thoughtful infrastructure;
• Making difficult choices in key locations between removing buildings or protecting them in a future-oriented way.

Projects

There is still a need for improvement for a number of key sites. It is now clear what projects are necessary for many places:

• Protecting the urban centers of Gerardsbergen and Nineveh;
• A proactive purchase policy for voluntary acquisition of poorly located homes;
• Development of natural flood zones between cities, in interaction with the Dundervale Nature Plan;
• Construction of the Dender Regional Park in Denderleu, Liedkerke and Affligem, as well as the protection of residential strips parallel to the Dender River;
• Integrated project around the Dender and Molenbeek rivers in Zandbergen with the managers of the three waterways.

performance

The Flemish Government and the Province of East Flanders took the first decisions to start implementing these measures in November 2023. Following the completion of the Strategic Environmental Impact Report (MER), the preferred alternative will be submitted for decision-making in spring 2024.

“In recent years, the three levels of government have worked hard to find solutions to the water problem, in the valley and on its sides.”concludes the MP An Vervliet (N-VA), responsible for spatial planning. “I call on the Flemish government and the municipalities of Dunder to jointly approve the current plans in the spring, so that we can take further steps towards their realization in 2024.”

Admin

The Flemish government will appoint a specialist to address floods in the Dender area. Minister Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) said this after she met on Tuesday 9 January with East Flemish Governor Karina van Cauter, the city of Gerardsbergen and the environmental frontman Omar Watz.

information: Space for water – More than dams.

Milli