Conference on Sustainable Waterfronts features Dutch and American panel to discuss the future of the Gulf region
Chicago, IL — September 16, 2005 —
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, much attention has been given to the power of nature and how cities can protect themselves in the event of a natural disaster. The conference in Chicago will explore this topic and other environmental issues. Sustainable Waterfronts: Learning from the Dutch Experience will bring together people from across the country and experts in several fields to discuss the latest advancements in waterfront development and sustainable policy.
WHO: Chicago Consulate General of the Netherlands
Illinois Institute of Technology WHAT: Conference on Sustainable Waterfronts to Feature Panel of Dutch and American Experts to discuss the future of the Gulf region. WHERE: Hermann Union Building at Illinois Institute of Technology, 3241 South Federal Street, Chicago, Illinois WHEN: September 29th at 4:15 pm CONTACT: Cor Hersbach, Deputy Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chicago, (312) 856-0110, ext. 512 or cw.hersbach@minbuza.nl or Carla Bundy, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington, DC (202) 274-2632 or cy.bundy@minbuza.nl
A special component of the program will explore the Dutch expertise in water management and urban planning. The panel discussion, New Orleans and the Netherlands-Living Below Sea-Level, will feature Dico van Ooijen, Senior Advisor for Dikes and Dams of the Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management and Peter Torbijn, Director of National Spatial Planning Policy and Advisor to the Dutch Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment. The Dutch team will share how the Netherlands manages its water levels. Joining the Dutch experts will be Larry J. Prather, Assistant Director of Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Dave Sanford, Director for Navigation Policy and Legislation of the American Association of Port Authorities. This panel will provide much food for thought in the rebuilding of New Orleans and the Gulf region. The Netherlands, of which nearly half is below sea-level, experienced extensive flooding in 1953, which led to the development of the country’s Delta Works project to protect it from the sea.
Sustainable Waterfronts: Learning from the Dutch Experience is a two-day conference focusing on landscape architecture, sustainable development, brownfields and environmental technology, and redevelopment of waterfronts. Additional speakers from the Netherlands, Washington, DC, Chicago and Minneapolis include: Annemieke Nijhof, advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands on Environmental and Sustainability Policies, Ann Breen of the Waterfront Center (Washington, DC) and Kimberly Worthington, Deputy Commissioner of the Department for Environment, the City of Chicago.
Reporters who would like to cover Sustainable Waterfronts: Learning from the Dutch Experience should contact Cor Hersbach, Deputy Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chicago by email at cw.hersbach@minbuza.nl or by phone 312 856 0110 ext. 512 for more information. Registration for media is free of charge.
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