Topic: Building with Nature, a concept for climate resilient infrastructure in the coastal areas

Short Bio of Ir. Henk E. Nieboer

Henk graduated as a civil engineer at Technical University of Delft in 1987 after which he joined the Dutch engineering company Witteveen+Bos. In Witteveen+Bos he worked for 32 years as geotechnical, coastal engineer and port engineer, project manager for flood defenses and land reclamation works, head of business unit and member of the Board of Directors. His work experience took him to various countries worldwide including countries such as Indonesia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Latvia, United Kingdom, Azerbaidzjan, Belgium, Germany, Singapore, Dubai, Russia, The Netherlands Antilles and The Netherlands. Since 2015 Henk is Director of EcoShape, Building with Nature and member of the Supervisory Board of Deltares. Henk is also the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in The Netherlands.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION

In his presentation Henk Nieboer will show how Nature-based solutions can be applied to solve issues in the field of coastal resilience, via the concept Building with Nature. He will demonstrate that by using Nature-based solutions it is possible to create solutions that not only solve the central problem, but deliver benefits across the Sustainable Development Goals. He will explain how this concept has benefit coastal communities in Demak Indonesia, by reconstructing a mangrove coast and boosting production in local aquacultures. It will be highlighted how this work can be replicated by using various Building with nature concepts in different landscape. and where to find the resources to do this.

ACECoR’s Collaborations with EcoShape

ACECoR is in collaboration with various organizations both in Ghana, West Africa and the European Countries and in the United States. One of such organizations is EcoShape a Dutch organization which specializes in providing nature-based solutions to environmental management including coastal areas. The organization is currently working with ACECoR on the application of nature-based solutions to certain coastal areas of Ghana. The Director of EcoShape, Ir. Henk E. Nieboer wishes to deliver the lecture to students of ACECoR, Lecturers, Research Fellows and the entire University of Cape Coast.