DISCO: digital solutions for climate adaptation

Climate adaptation

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What and why?

Local administrations in the North Sea region need to accelerate their climate adaptation efforts, but they face complex challenges in their decision-making. This is partly due to the enormous amount of data and stakeholders involved. Digital solutions such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and digital twins can help convert complex data and large amounts of information into clear visualizations and contribute to the development of a shared vision for solutions. Successful implementation requires investment and trust between the various authorities, the digital sector, and other stakeholders. The DISCO project contributes to this.

Goal of the project

DISCO aims to increase the innovative capacity of cities and governments to implement digital solutions that accelerate climate adaptation. This should lead to:

• increased innovative strength,
• the removal of barriers,
• repeatable, sustainable digital solutions for climate adaptation through the North Sea region.

Role of the VMM

The VMM wants to help local authorities better understand the impact of climate change and the potential effects of climate adaptation solutions, and to accelerate these climate adaptation solutions.

As part of the project, the VMM carried out a climate adaptation scan together with the cities and municipalities of Sint-Niklaas and Stekene. This scan mapped out the future risks of heat, drought and flooding and investigated which measures are needed to make both municipalities more climate-proof by 2050.

Design proposals were developed for various locations that show how streets, squares and neighborhoods can be designed to be climate-proof. These images form an important basis for the next step within DISCO: developing digital visualizations that allow policymakers, stakeholders and residents to better understand and assess the effects of climate adaptation measures.

Project partners

• The Netherlands
• Municipality of Zwolle
• University of Twente
• AMACHAN
• Germany
• Oldenburgisch-Ostfriesischer Wasserverband
• Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
• Jade Hochschule Wilhelmshaven/Oldenburg/Elsfleth
• Denmark
• VIA University College
• Vejle Kommune
• Belgium: Flanders Environment Agency
• Sweden
• Sweden Water Research AB
• City of Malmö

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