Revised version
03 December, 2010
Waterways Forward Synthesis Report Page 4 of 33
Contents
Contents 2
1. Introduction 3
2. Methodological steps 3
3. Objectives of the Regional Analyses and Synthesis report 4
4. Step 1: Analysing the Regional Analysis and Questionnaires 6
4.1. General observations and topics for exchange 6
4.2. Specific remarks and gaps and on the regional analyses en questionnaires 8
5. Step 2: Topics and transferable practices 10
5.1. Theme Governance 11
5.2. Theme Environment / Climate change 23
6. Step 3: Recommended topics for further exchange 28
Annex 1: List of Themes, Sub-themes and Topics 32
Projectnumber
1020
Commissioned by:
Stichting Recreatietoervaart Nederland (SRN)
Developed by:
www.eurodite.eu
Author:
Joep de Roo
Waterways Forward Synthesis Report Page 4 of 33
1. Introduction
This is the synthesis report for the Interreg IVC Waterways Forward project. This report was commissioned by the Stichting Recreatietoervaart Nederland (SRN) in its capacity as lead partner for this project. The project is supported by the Interreg IV C programme and deals with the management of regional inland waterways and regions adjacent to these waterways. The aim of the project is to make better use of inland waterways in Europe by developing recommendations for governance models, promotion of integrated sustainable policies in line with demands of environmental and climate changes and actions to boost socio-economic development of inland waterways and adjacent regions. In total 17 partners of 13 different European countries participate in the project.
2. Methodological steps
The synthesis report summarises and synthesises the first three methodological steps leading to the final project results. The methodological steps of the project should be in line with actions described in Workpackage 3 of the approved application form.
In the table on the right a suggestion for the methodology of the project is presented. Its purpose is to show the consecutive steps in the methodology of the Waterways Forward Project.
Survey and analysis phase1 / Regional analyses / Develop database with input from regional analyses and questionnaires:
2 / Topics and practices / On the base of the database, main topics and transferable practices (demand and supply) are identified
3 / Topics for exchange / Topics and practices for exchange will be discussed and decided at the next partner meeting
4 / Demo Toolbox / All experiences and best practices are collected and made available via the demo toolbox.
5 / Teaming Up / Clustering / On the base of the previous steps, suitable combinations of partners will be appointed
6 / Masterclasses / Input into the major themes for development
Experience capitalisation and transfer of practices phase
7 / Regional Action Plans / on the base of the survey and analysis phase, development concepts in the main development area for each region is produced
8 / Regional debates / the action plans are discussed with the regional platforms
9 / Virtual platform debates / all the products can be presented and discussed upon on a virtual network
10 / Key Projects / On the base of regional analyses and action plans, regional key projects will be selected
Policy development phase
11 / Policy recommendations / policy recommendations can be made on the base of the required action plans and key projects
3. Objectives of the Regional Analyses and Synthesis report
Steps 1, 2 and 3 explained
The synthesis is a tool for synthesising the first three steps in the methodology.
Step 1: Regional Analyses and Questionnaires: Each partner has delivered a questionnaire and/or regional analysis. In order to be able to compare partners’ input, all received data is put into a concise, summarising database. This database, along with the regional analyses, can be used throughout the project as a ‘base line information document’. The database will soon be available via the website of the waterways forward project
Step 2: Main topics and practices: The information of the database is further organised in this report in the following way:
a. main topics: Thirty six topics have been identified divided over two main development themes:
i. Governance
ii. Environment and climate change
b. Demand: what is needed by the partners and
c. Supply: experiences of partners in that topic
d. Possible information sharing: suggestions for information exchange are presented
Step 3:Topics for exchange: The next step is to discuss the main topics and practices at the next partner meeting and determine suitable teams on the base of which requests and experiences can be transferred. Supply and demand will be brought together.
Objectives and sub-objectives of the synthesis report
This report aims to form a synthesis of in total 15 regional analyses that the partners in the project have developed for their regions in the first half of 2010. The regional analyses constitute a huge pool of information of the various partner region’s and waterways. The synthesis report can be regarded as a midterm step in the survey and analysis phase and does not enter into detail of each specific regional setting. This report aims to be concise in order to avoid repeating information and data of the regional analyses. Its outcome should be subject for further discussion and in-depth, on-the-ground analyses and follow up actions in the partner regions of the Waterways Forward project.
Its main objective is to create an overview of the main themes and topics that the partners of the Waterways Forward encounter in the development and maintenance of their regional waterways and propose recommendations for follow-up actions within the scope of the Waterways Forward project.
The sub-objectives of the regional analyses and synthesis report can be summarised as follows:
1. create insight into regional development impact of being a region adjacent to waterways or inland lakes
2. an analyses of practices related to management of waterways, focussing on identification of strengths and weaknesses in
a. Governance (incl. management approach towards economic development, multifunctional use and legal & financial constraint)
b. Environment & climate change
3. get a comprehensive picture of inland waterways management practices and problems
a. geographical features, economic developments, effects on nature and environment and climate change, nature protections, navigability
b. current management practices, models, tasksharing between sectors, management levels, competences and responsibilities
c. most recommendable models: best practices
The regional analyses and synthesis rapport can be used to
1. Identify common development features and management problems
2. identify successful and less successful management practices, solutions, policy initiatives
3. find agreement upon best practices to be transferred
4. serve as a base for the content agenda and workplan for the 2 thematic groups
Waterways Forward Synthesis Report Page 4 of 33
4. Step 1: Analysing the Regional Analysis and Questionnaires
15 regional analyses were submitted from 17 project partners from 13 countries.
PP1 / Dutch Recreational Waterways Foundation (SRN) / NL / The NetherlandsPP2 / South Tipperary County Council / IRL / Republic of Ireland
PP3 / Waterways Ireland / UK& IRL / UK (Northern Ireland) & Republic of Ireland
PP4 / British Waterways / UK / UK (Wales)
PP5 / Association Regio Water / NL / The Netherlands
PP6 / Telemark County Council / NO / Norway
PP7 / County Administrative Board of Varmland / SE / Sweden
PP8 / Savonlinna Region Federation of Municipalities / FI / Finland
PP9 / Central Directorare for Water & Environment / HU / Hungary
PP10 / Province of Ferrara / IT / Italy
PP11 / Navigli Lombardi s.c.a.r.l. / IT / Italy
PP12 / French Waterways / FR / France
PP13 / Association of Riverside Towns of the Castille Channel, SIRGA / ES / Spain
PP14 / PWMC Vode Vojvodine-Office for European Affairs / RS / Serbia
PP15 / Vidzeme Planning Region / LV / Latvia
PP16 / Municipality of Brzeg Dolny / PL / Poland
PP17 / Municipality of Dunaújváros / HU / Hungary
Reports were submitted by partners PP2, PP3, PP4, PP6, PP7, PP8, PP10, PP11, PP12, PP13, PP14, PP15 and PP16. Partners PP1 & PP5 submitted a joint report as did partners PP9 & PP17
A lot of valuable and useful information has been delivered by the partners. The material was delivered in different formats. Most of the partners followed the questions that were formulated in the questionnaire, however not all of the partners followed this format. It should be noted that many questions in the questionnaire were open questions. This resulted in many descriptive passages in which it was sometimes hard to select the key issues and filter out comparative material. It is recommended that the selection of topics and practices presented in this document is further discussed and organised by the partners and theme group leaders.
4.1. General observations and topics for exchange
After reading all the Regional Analyses and the questionnaires, some observations can be made on the general content and direction of the material. These observations could serve as starting point for selection of topics for exchange. These suggested topics are underlined.
1. Difference in geographical area and type of waterways
The geographical areas and type of waterways that were analysed can be categorised as follows:
Region / Country scope
· PP1&PP5: The Netherlands - the Randstad area
· PP 3: United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) and Ireland – whole of Northern Ireland and Ireland
· PP15: Latvia – Vidzeme region
· PP9&PP17: Hungary – whole country
· PP14: Serbia: Danube-Tisa-Danube hydrosystem in autonomous Province of Vojvodina
River / retention area scope:
· PP2: Ireland – the river Suir area
· PP10: Italy – Po river system
· PP12: France – Sambre river area
· PP16: Poland – Odra river band
Lake / waterways system scope:
· PP7: Sweden – Lake Vanern
· PP8: Finland – Saimaa Waterways System
Canal scope:
· PP4: United Kingdom – canal system in Wales
· PP6: Norway – the Telemark Canal
· PP11: Italy – Lombardy canals
· PP13: Spain – Castillia channel
The differing geographical scope and type of waterways of the partner areas prevents drawing straight-line comparisons between the partnership as a whole. However, it is clear that many partners have similar needs and often face the same challenges.
2. Different levels of development
It is clear that there is a difference in level of development within the partnership. Some partners have a long history and tradition in developing and exploiting their waterways where others are in early stages of development and exploitation of the inland waterway systems.
For instance, the Lombardi channel system started to evolve in the 12th century, was partly designed by Leonardo da Vinci and was used to carry goods for the development of the Duomo of Milan . Now it is in need for a new boost in the exploitation of the area by tourism development while limiting the effects of heavy urbanisation on the canal system.
In Poland on the other hand, the Odra river system is in need of infrastructure and dredging to start using the potential of the river. There is a lack of infrastructure for inland navigation. Developments here are in a starting stage.
3. Shared issues among the partners
The issue of waterways has many different angles such as development of infrastructure, maintenance, governance, safety etc. Some partners are clear in determining their demands and needs. Others are not yet certain or focussed about the development direction of their inland waterways. This makes it difficult to prioritise development objectives of waterways or areas adjacent to waterways. Five issues are found in some form or another at all the partner regions. These issues could provide good topics for exchange of practices:
1. Need for economic models for exploitation and management of waterways;
2. The challenge of finding the balance between environmental and economic objectives to ensure sustainable development;
3. Preparations for increased flooding and periods of drought;
4. Need for investments in usage and maintenance of waterways and hinterland connections;
5. Implementation of EU legislation. All partners are involved in implementing EU directives and guidelines which influence waterways, such as Water Framework Directive, Birds Directive, Habitat Directive etc.
4. Shared opportunities among the partners
Next to these issues, the inland waterways represent areas with large development potential. Some topics can be formulated on which practices can be exchanged:
1. Governance: successes depend on cooperation with other institutions and countries. Each country has its own structures and bodies involved. Its difficult to filter 'one size fits all‘ structure. The secret seems to lie in openness, stakeholder involvement and a cooperative attitude of all the partners directly and indirectly related to waterways;
2. Waterways often are part of or connected to natural areas (such as Natura 2000 sites) and high quality environments with subsequent opportunities for leisure and recreation, added health benefits and extended quality of life;
3. The history related to the development and usage of canals, rivers and is often quite impressive. Some of the waterways in the partnership are true relics of the Industrial Revolution and belong to cultural heritage of Europe;
4. There is a clear awareness among the partners for the need of multifunctional use and integrated policies to tackle all the issues and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
4.2. Specific remarks and gaps and on the regional analyses en questionnaires
The following remarks are subjective remarks on the content by the author.
Basic data
The areas that have been analysed are quite heterogeneous. Some partners have analysed entire regions or countries whereas others focussed on (specific stretches of) canals, rivers or lakes. A remark should be made on the quality of the data in the questionnaire:
1. Specific quantitative touristic and economic data on water related regional income is often not specific or not available at all. Therefore it is difficult to determine the economic benefits of waterways and its regional impact. For governance purposes it could be interesting to develop a model to measure economic (and social) impact of waterways on regional economies;