Engineering: Building with Nature

None. Analytical ability and basic physics will be helpful, as are an affinity for coastal and water systems and an interest in ecosystem-based engineering.

Week 1: Introduction to Building with Nature.
Introduction to the Building with Nature concept and its importance through a number of dramatic examples. Identifying hydraulic engineering infrastructures, and exploring the diversity of standpoints on their ecological effects.

Week 2: Engineering design principles
The engineering design process is explained and the underlying principles are distilled. Students familiarize themselves with the material through classification exercises.

Week 3: Ecological design principles
The concept of designing in accordance with ecological principles is explained. Students identify different types of aquatic ecosystems and distill principles on the basis of ecosystem character and functioning.

Week 4: Integrated design
Students apply their new knowledge in assessing the potential for Building with Nature solutions in case studies, or in their locality. Trade-offs in applying engineering and ecological principles are explicated, and the opportunities for nature are clarified.

Week 5: Integrated design review
Critical evaluation of whether hydraulic infrastructure is fit for purpose in meeting engineering, ecological and societal goals by peer reviewing case studies from week 4. In particular, students assess the coherence between the infrastructure design and the ecosystem character and function.

Marcel Stive
Emeritus Professor of Coastal Engineering
Delft University of Technology

Jill Slinger
Associate Professor
TU Delft

Building with Nature - Course Contributors