The “Nieuwe Waterweg” canal linking the Rhine and the North Sea was opened in January 1872. It has widely been used and has supported for many decades the economic and industrial development of the Rhine and Ruhr basins, and in particular the port of Rotterdam. Today, it is confronted with the challenges of energy transition, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and must therefore be radically rethought.

For its 150th anniversary, Nieuwe Waterweg is the focus of a two-day symposium. Conferences and round tables will be animated by international academics and operators, to discuss the initiatives and possibilities for port cities, challenges and implications for water management, spatial planning and design, and public participation in these transitions.

The conference takes place on 13, 14 and 15 October in Rotterdam, 3rd Katendrechtse Hoofd 25, 3072 AM Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Register here