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The Sustainable Rivers Management (SRM) research group (HAN/VHL Universities of Applied Sciences) and the Smart Rivers Foundation (SRF) have identified an added value for collaboration in order to educate the professionals of the future. There they want to set up a joint research programme to link capacity building efforts amongst professionals with higher applied education. This project will boost the strategic partnership between the SRM group at HAN/VHL, SRF and its strategic partners.
Smart River Foundation and Bureau Drift have identified the DNA or intrinsic nature of various river systems in the Netherlands (NL) using 20 years of expert knowledge. This approach is now increasingly being adopted by practitioners and policy makers in NL. The DNA of a river can only be determined after having analysed all the landscape factors involved and the interactions herein. These factors or layers are multidisciplinary and relate to the water system, abiotic and biotic variables and anthropogenic impact. However, a clear methodology for identifying the DNA of a river system is lacking. This project aims to develop this methodology and to test it internationally. A method for identifying the DNA of a river will support technical managers of Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Hoogwaterbeschermingsprogramma (Flood Protection Program, HWBP) projects in the Netherlands to realise spatial quality in their projects. Moreover, the Smart Rivers approach also becomes applicable to other river systems around the world. This will provide a sound basis for supporting existing and new international partnerships.