The communication activities in the programme will contribute to achieving the overall objective of the Climate changes Spatial Planning programme, which is to strengthen the Dutch knowledge infrastructure by increasing insights into the relationship between climate change and land use, transferring scientific knowledge to target groups in society and transferring practical know-how to scientific target groups. 

Results Communication projects

Platform Communication on Climate Change - COM03
The Platform Communication on Climate Change (PCCC) was
established by the Dutch climate research community to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the communication of Dutch climate research. The PCCC provides information about climate change. This includes reports, background information, climate events and a climate diary. The PCCC also organizes climate updates, climate days, workshops and symposia. Read more.
 

Network project - COM04This project is an important factor in achieving the goals concerning communication and dissemination of climate knowledge. The goal of
this project is to involve stakeholders, for example the business
sector and regional governments, in the research of the CcSP
programme organizing dialogue, workshops and debate. Take a further look at the report of the 2007 Symposium Hot Places - Cool Spaces, or at publications and reports of meetings.

Nature’s Calendar - COM06
Natural processes such as the flowering of trees and the start of bird migration take place every year during a specific period of time. This thus creates nature’s calendar. At www.natuurkalender.nl, is a collection of observations of annually recurring biological phenomena. Using this data, it is possible to map out the impact of climate change on nature and the consequences of this. The observations of 7,000 people about 227 species are reported through the website.

Summerschool Climate and the hydrological cycle - COM07
This summerschool, held in 2005, integrated several disciplines of the climate science, earth science, hydrology and water management. Land use and climate change were the leading subjects and the integrating variables. The used book Climate and the hydrological cycle is still being used in education for PhD-students and professionals.

Delta’s in times of climate change - COM11
This project explored the potential of soft system-based measures (as opposed to hard measures like dams and dikes) for dealing with climate change in delta areas all over the world. A system has been developed that allows interactive exploration of delta’s and measures all over the world. The interactive DELTAS website gives access to the collected information about the delta’s. It also enables comparison of 25 delta’s when using different system-based approaches.

PhD Education Programma - COM12
In cooperation with SENSE three international Summer Schools were organized for PhD students. There were subjects for different PhD's with different backgrounds: S310 "Understanding global environmental change", S460 "Earth System Governance" and S340 Integrated Assessment of Global Environmental Change. The participants practised with doing an "Integrated Assessment".

Adaptationscan for local governments - COM15
COM15 has created a database which makes the effects of climate change and possible measures on a local scale available. Policy makers can provide insight which adaptation measures are necessary and where potentials are for matching adaptation with current planning. The main function of the adaptationscan is to place local adaptation on the agenda. This project's methodology is linked with the methodology of COM21, Climate change sketchbooks. Visit the website
contact | publications | factsheet

Animation films on climate buffers - COM20
Existing solutions against the predicted consequences of climate change will not suffice. Natural climate buffers could provide a solution. These
are natural areas which use sedimentation processes to raise the land and protect it and its hinterland against high tides. In a competition animation movies were made around the theme ‘climate sponge’. The goal was to explain a broad audience what a climate buffer is and to persuade them to visit the website with more information. The winning movies were shown in the Vroege Vogels broadcast of 20-05-2008.

Climate change sketchbooks - COM21
Seven of the twelve provinces in The Netherlands have cooperated with CcSP in COM21 making Climate change sketchbooks. The sketchbooks contain maps for precipitation, temperature, days of sun and wind in urban and rural areas of the province. These maps show that The Netherlands will be coping with excess and shortage of water, sea level rise, salinization and decrease of biodiversity due to climate change. contact | publications | factsheet 

Definition study Heat in the City - COM22
Rising temperatures in The Netherlands will lead to health problems
and decreasing comfort during heat waves. This definition study has formulated research questions and formed a project team for the
subject Heat in the City. The results are bundled in the report Heat
in the City. In this report the available and to be developed knowledge concerning possible adaptation and mitigation options for the Urban
Heat Island effect in Dutch cities is explained. Also look at COM29. 
contact | publications | factsheet

Definition study Water Robust Building - COM23
The project Water Robust Building developed a (Dutch) book which supplies an overview of possible measures which combine the adaptation to climate change with the future construction of a vast amount of residential areas. The project also developed the Three Step Approach, which links planning, design, construction and exploitation. By involving the Dutch construction sector in the project they have been encouraged to take climate adaptation into account. Final report
contact | publications | factsheet

The Matrix - COM24
In COM24, a small interdisciplinary reconnaissance group (miniature think tank) was appointed to develop integral perspectives for societal action facing the effects of climate change. Four domains of science were represented by 'intendents', who composed 'credentials' (essays) for their domain. Based on those, five issues were identified and discussed with about 45 experts. This led to five short articles for newspapers and perspective for a sequel. Read more or download the final report.
contact | publications | synthesis report

Definition study comparative assessment - COM26
This study presents a reconnaissance of relevant issues regarding the implementation of policy instruments to make a specific area climate proof. Climate proofing is also considered in respect to a sector of economy or a living environment. The national government, provinces, communities and water boards are actively involved in the study and frequently consulted. The final reports are available in the publication database. Also look at COM31, phase 2 of this project.
contact | publications | factsheet

From sketchbook to climate atlas - COM27
Are we able to build here without a risk of flooding? What is the
impact of more extreme weather conditions on the flower bulb cultivation? The recently developed digital climate atlas offers
resources to enable these types of questions to be answered. The
atlas is a national continuation and specification of the provincial sketchbooks in which the effects of climate change are shown for
each region. 
contact | publications | read more

Climate in the urban environment - COM29
In COM29 two popular models for urban climate were assessed for the Dutch situation. Because there is little climatic data available a measuring strategy has been developed to collect new and use existing (amateur meteorologists) data. Preliminary results show that the Urban Heat Island effect ranges from 3 to 10°C and that 7 out of 20 cities experience +- 7 days of significant increased heat stress. Read more, download the  synthesis and have a look at Hotspot Rotterdam.
contact | publications | factsheet

Integrating climate change knowledge in regional planning
processes - COM30
COM30 focuses on the spatial planning processes on a regional level, through joining current planning processes. The currently available results of CcSP research, e.a. climate sketchbooks, are now part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process of two provinces. Strategic documents can thus become climate proof. The findings are bundled in a handout for the EIA committee. Download the synthesis.
contact | publications | article

Scoping study comparative assessment, phase 2 - COM31
In COM26 a reconnaisance has been done regarding the implementa-
tion of policy instruments to make a specific area climate proof. This assessment framework has been applied in project COM31 to get experience with it. In addition to this scoping study, a regional and a national assessment framework have been developed. Furthermore,
two case studies have been done, of which the reports are available
(in Dutch): climate proof WaalWeelde and Stadshavens.
contact | publications | final report 5

Adaptation public space to climate change - COM34
Climate adaptation is on the agenda of several leading municipalities, the greater portion is yet to follow. Project COM34 has written a handbook which gives guidance in adapting public space to climate change. By organising regional meetings the project encourages municipalities to start working with climate adaptation. In the book and meetings the leading municipalities are presented as an example, showing how to adapt. The national knowledge platform on infrastructure, traffic, transport and public space CROW coordinates the project.
contact | publications | summary

Roads to climate resilient Netherlands - COM35
On request of the Ministry of infrastructure and the environment the
PBL (Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency) is developing strategies to make the Netherlands climate resilient. The goal of
COM35 is to involve CcSP and KfC scientists in the PBL study and
supply preliminary research results. This project supplies a total of
eight interrelated options to make the Netherlands climate resilient.
contact | publications

Objectives

The objectives of the communication by the Climate changes Spatial Planning programme are:

• To ensure that parties with a role in spatial planning are well informed about the results of scientific research into climate change and to make  
  them conscious of their role in limiting the effects of and responding to climate change
• To ensure that scientists in the climate domain are well informed about the latest developments in policy and practice in relation to spatial planning
• To engender greater insight into climate-related policy by keeping the general public informed about climate change
• To strengthen education in the field of climate and spatial planning

• The groups that are already involved in the knowledge consortium. This group contains many scientists, but also people from government, NGOs and the business community. They submit projects, carry out projects or are represented in the organisatorial structure such as the Board or the Programme Council. For this group the objective is to strengthen the network, in other words to intensify the relationships between the various parties and foster the exchange of knowledge
• The parties we would like to see more closely involved in the programme are people from provincial and local authorities, water boards, business community, and NGOs. The objective is to draw these people into the knowledge consortium and initiate a dialogue with them. This target group has the highest priority in the communication strategy
• The general public of the Netherlands. The objective is to inform this group, or give them the opportunity to be kept informed. a well-informed public will help to ensure that the overall objective of the programme is achieved. After all, well-informed citizens can force civil society organisations and government bodies to give more backing to climate programmes, thus raising their interest in acquiring knowledge about climate change. 

Projects

• COM01 - A virtual data portal for CcSP projects
• COM02 - Quickscan on climate communication in The Netherlands
• COM03 - Platform Communication on Climate Change (PCCC)
• COM04 - Network project
• COM05 - Programme website
• COM06 - Nature's Calender
• COM07 - Climate and the Hydrological Cycle Summer School
• COM08 - The National Climate Change Quiz (Television programme)
• COM09 - Special issue of Change Magazine
• COM11 - Delta's in times of climate change
• COM12 - PhD programme
• COM13 - Check it out! Tools for a sustainable world
• COM15 - Adaptation scan for local governments
• COM18 - Knowledge Transfer
• COM20 - Animation films on climate buffers
• COM21 - Climate change sketchbooks
• COM22 - Definition study Heat in the city
• COM23 - Water resilient building
• COM25 - Definition study Biesbosch in times of climate change
• COM26 - Scoping study Comparative assessment
• COM28 - Climate Data
• COM29 - Climate in the urban environment
• COM30 - Integrating climate change knowledge in regional planning processes
• COM31 - Scoping study comparative assessment, phase 2
• COM34 - Adaptation public space to climate change
• COM35 - Roads to climate resilient Netherlands 

Look at the Project Overview for a detailed description.