The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment played host to the Delft Delta Design Days on June 11 to 13 2014.
The three-day event featured a series of lectures and debates on relevant issues and possible solutions in the creation of new urban-delta landscapes.
Experts in urban design, architecture, civil engineering and water management were invited to present their views on how to create a sustainable relationship between water landscapes and cities. Given the complexity of the task at hand, it appears that an interdisciplinary approach among several fields is required in order to design better water systems in urban deltas and to sufficiently address the challenges of climate change.
Newly appointed TU Delft professor Frits Palmboom had the honor of opening the Delta Design Days on June 11 with his inaugural lecture on urbanism in delta landscapes. As co-owner of design firm Palmbout Urban Landscapes, Palmboom works on numerous designs for spatial planning, landscape and exterior. Over the next three years, Palmboom will hold the Van Eesteren chair at the Faculty of Architecture, focusing on spatial development in the IJsselmeer area.
“The relationship of urban design to related disciplines has always been dynamic.” Palmboom said during his inaugural speech. “From way back, urban design, as a provider of ‘public works’, has been closely connected with civil engineering.” According to the professor, the power of Dutch urban design and landscape design studies in the universities of Delft and Wageningen lies in their joint potential. “A forward-looking and ‘designing’ vision remains necessary, and TU Delft plays an important role in nourishing and cherishing this vision.”
Following the inauguration, an open debate was held on June 12 between students of the TU Delft graduation studio ‘Delta Interventions’. Three teams presented their design contributions to the Rebuild-by-Design program, initiated by the US government in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Issues concerning the Dutch approach to water safety in the US, and the roles of civil engineers versus spatial designers were also debated.
Delta Design Days was brought to a close on June 13 with a Symposium on Urban Deltas in Transition. Scientists and designers were invited to present new theoretical insights, relevant design concepts and spatial strategies in regard to the threats and opportunities of the various delta regions. Organized by TU Delft, the conference took place during the 6th International Architecture Biennial Rotterdam.
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