what to do with the water

In the Netherlands we have been living below sea level for over 800 years, so I think we can say that we are experts when it comes to the defense of water. With the climate change and the increase of large weather fluctuations it’s necessary to experiment with new flood protection solutions.

Those who want to win the battle against flooding, can’t leave it to a coïncidence. Meteorologists worldwide have agreed already for times: disaster floods, sometimes with devastating consequences for residential areas or wildlife, are becoming more common. Effective flood protection is therefore essential. Mobiele Dijken is a new take on flood protection solutions. With Mobile dikes there is a new, highly efficient system designed, and already tested many times. With the help of Mobile Dikes a temporary barrier can be realized in a very short time and with no additional equipment or heavy machinery with a maximum height of 2.6 meters.

How do you fight against water? Well, with water. The mobile dikes of fireman Dirk Bon and Sailmaker Bart Viscount, are created with sail and filled with water. In case of emergencies they have built a temporary dam within a few hours.  There is no need for sandbags anymore. Their innovative idea earned them a spot in the final of the Challenge City.

Climate-resistant constructing, designing, housing and living asks for a change in thinking and doing. It requires governments for example, to deal with the design of public spaces differently. To arrange the climate-proof cities they should work together with other parties. City deals, alliances between cities, state and other stakeholders can make a contribution  by experimenting with issues such as climate change adaption. The mobile dikes are a good example of this.

 

Sources:

http://popupcity.net/mobile-dikes-protect-the-dutch-against-floods/

Mobiele Dijken-Stop water met water

http://www.mobieledijken.nl/mobiele-dijken

 

 

 

Echo Smartwatch

Hi everyone,
For school I’ve got to find 5 cool hunts and write about them on my blog.

Cool hunt: Echo Smartwatch 

what is it?

The Echo Smartwatch is a watch with touchscreen. Unlike the most smart watches it just looks like a normal classic clock. Brian Khouw, a Dutch student from the TU Delft, designed this concept.

why is it cool & why does it have future growth potential?

The watch is easy to wear. As you can see here above you could do a lot of things with it. The Smartwatches they have designed so far are clumsy and quite heavy. This one is fashionable and compact. Also very important, you always have your phone with you. You don’t have to put it in a bag where you always lose him, and when you don’t have any pockets you won’t have to take a bag with you for your phone.

So I guess a lot of people would like to buy this Echo Smartwatch, because it just looks like a normal watch but with a lot of new functions.

For more information you can go to this website:
http://brekend.nl/2013/08/23/nederlandse-student-ontwerpt-prachtig-smartwatch-concept/

Thanks for reading!
Eline