North Sea Skills Integration and New Technologies

The lively presentations of augmented reality, the serious game ‘WaterTown’ from the University of Abertay Dundee and the ‘flood-table’  (GIS-based visualization of flow path analysis). All this pointed out the importance of appropriate and convenient communication and planning tools to raise the awareness of flood risks in urban surroundings.

News article from Bergens Tidene (02.10.2011)
At the regional SKINT project Bryggen in Bergen, Norway, measures are being implemented to raise the groundwater level. This is done to reduce rapid deterioration of the thick layers of organic cultural deposits protected at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The measures are also important to reduce the damaging settling rates of the historic buildings at the site. Among several measures, sustainable urban water management solutions are crucial. At Bryggen, innovative water management solutions are being developed and implemented through strong transnational cooperation with partners in the SKINT project.

To calculate the consequences of water management interventions more quickly and in more detail, and present the results in a three-dimensional format: this is the goal of 3Di. By 2014 the participants hope to market a tool to facilitate rapid, accurate water management desicions - in order to design improvements, in response to emergencies and in daily management. This is expected to produce major savings, because a tailor-made solution is generally cheaper than simply wielding the axe.

Water law is a complex area and poses many challenges for people working in the field of water management. Furthermore, the national laws may be changed to embrace new European water laws. To inform experts and managers from water authorities and water organizations about the current status, HAW Hamburg organizes a half-day seminar on 11 October 2011 in the frame of the Interreg IVB North Sea project SKINT.

In the complex water management of the 21st century, reliable information is essential for making good and informed decisions. This information is only useful if it is presented in an understandable way and in conjunction with its surroundings. In 3Di Water management the latest techniques are used, e.g. 3D-visualisation of floodings, detailed simulations, very fast computing techniques and an overarching internet framework.

The Urban Water Technology Centre within the University of Abertay Dundee is undertaking training with Local Authority throughout Scotland to share knowledge of new developments in management of surface water using sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).

The seminar on Cultural Heritage and Water Management, held at Bryggen in Bergen (Norway) on June 8-9, 2010 has been a success. With almost 70 participants from a range of  professional backgrounds, the seminar provided a successful platform for interdisciplinary discussions and knowledge exchange. For the first time, cultural heritage management was clearly linked to urban land and water management.

The Hamburg University of Applied Sciences is pleased to inform that the call for papers for the third Worldwide Online Climate Conference CLIMATE 2010/KLIMA 2010 has just opened. Be part of this worldwide climate-friendly event and use this unique opportunity to present and discuss your work with fellow researchers, practitioners, NGOs and the interested stakeholders from all around the world.

Some water boards do not permit the direct discharge of rainwater from bitumen roofs without additional treatment. Doubts about this approach have led to practical research being conducted into the quality of run-off rainwater.

On 09th December, the specialist symposium on „Climate Change and Sustainable Water Management“ was held in Lyngby/Copenhagen as one of the many parallel events to the 15th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP15).”