Welcome to the inaugural issue of Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure. This magazine, born from the successful publications Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure (2018) and Financing Sustainable Marine and Freshwater Infrastructure (2021), marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards a more sustainable future. Both IADC (International Association of Dredging Contractors) and CEDA (Central Dredging Association) promote sustainable projects not only by making these publications possible but moreover explaining this working method in their conferences, seminars, courses and meetings.
For the coming three years, this new publication will alternative with IADC’s technical journal, Terra et Aqua. Each issue will take a chapter from the DFSI book as its foundation stone and have supporting articles that show the philosophy put into practice. In the six years since the book was published, times and technology have changed and advanced. The aim is therefore to revisit and update the content, and bring it to the next generation in a more accessible format.
For this first issue, the theme presents the broad concept of how to integrate dredging in sustainable development. The essence of sustainable infrastructure lies in first understanding its total environment – physical, social and economic. This holistic approach is the cornerstone of the principles that guides the dredging community in creating value across all three pillars of sustainability.
The supporting articles showcase the practical applications of these principles. From the Benin submerged breakwater to the Delta21 project in the Netherlands, we see how dredging can be harnessed to protect coastlines, restore ecosystems and support economic development.
I have been active in infrastructure projects involving dredging since 1986 and have witnessed that we have learned so much over the years. In the early days, we were only reactive to the environment, simply trying to reduce and mitigate negative effects. Today, having matured, we are more proactive, optimising positive effects that give benefits to all stakeholders. We have learned from numerous projects and pilot programmes, and also by sharing our experiences, and in turn have improved our overall skills. I strongly believe we must continue with exchanging knowledge to realise sustainable infrastructure and to reach the next level together.
As we navigate the challenges of climate change, energy transition and urbanisation, the dredging community has a vital role to play in building a sustainable future. By adopting sustainable practices, embracing innovation and fostering collaboration, we can create infrastructure that benefits both people and the planet.
I invite you to explore the articles and get inspired in this issue, and to join us on this exciting journey towards a more sustainable future.