Dutch experts from Amsterdam's Free University (VU) have drawn up a plan protect the New York coastline against climate change. The university has announced it was asked by the New York authorities to contribute to a large-scale project for the future development of the city.
The VU's Institute for Environmental Issues has produced a climate protection plan for over 800 kilometres of waterfront, including the banks of the Hudson River.
The Dutch university has been involved in a number of projects in New York in recent years. Wouter Botzen, environmental economy lecturer at the VU, comments: "The Netherlands has a good reputation internationally in the field of water management." He believes the VU was chosen because of the combination of these two factors.
Climate change has greatly increased the chances of major flooding. Large areas of the 'Big Apple' are only one or two metres above sea level.
New York is also planning a great deal of construction along its waterfront to cope with its increasing population.
(imm)
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Vrije Universiteit uses the name VU University in English, not Free University.
http://www.vu.nl/en