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Publication
The costs and benefits of NTMB - banks along navigable waterways in Flanders
Book - Report
Subtitle:final report
In this study, we want to investigate where and under what circumstances it makes the most sense to construct a certain type of nature-friendly or nature-technical bank.
We assume that this question only arises when work is required on a bank. This may be for safety or stability reasons in combination with limited space or for the development of water-related industrial activities, for example. (In other cases, it is assumed that the bank can remain untouched of course). In these situations, we want to look for thateveral alternative that makes it possible to develop vegetation as much as possible and that also fulfils its water-repellent function as well as possible, which is responsible for, among other things, rigidity and safety. The extent to which an alternative fulfils these functions can be measured (e.g. via the stage in succession as far as vegetation development is concerned). In order to obtain the best possible answer to this question, this study examines the costs and benefits associated with the construction and management of a number of types of banks on the basis of five case studies.
The case studies were limited to navigable watercourses because it is assumed that, due to the impact of shipping on the banks, a minimum level of bank protection is required everywhere. In the case of unnavigable watercourses, from the point of view of nature conservation, natural banks are still preferred without human intervention where nature development can take place without restrictions.
Although it is not possible to make generally applicable statements on the basis of 5 case studies, by carrying out this SCBA, the Flemish government will still gain a good insight into the costs and benefits associated with the construction and maintenance of a number of types of NTMB banks. Based on this, economically justified choices can be made in the future with regard to the construction and management of banks and future bank management plans can be drawn up in such a way that the net benefits for society as a whole are as high as possible.
This report is structured as follows. We start with a chapter in which the theoretical basic principles of the social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) and the determination of the benefits of ecosystems are explained (chapter 2). Chapter 3 then classifies the various types of banks and briefly defines these types. Then, in this chapter, cases are selected for the various types of banks that are most relevant. Chapter 4 describes the various costs and benefits of these types of banks. The general starting points that are used for the calculation within all cases are stated. The case specific starting points are mentioned in chapter 5, the chapter in which the various cases are dealt with. In this chapter, the cost debate balance is determined for each case. Chapter 6 then discusses the attitude of waterway authorities and local residents towards the cases. The results of the cases are compared with each other in chapter 7, in which various sensitivity analyses are also carried out. On this basis, conclusions are drawn from which recommendations are made to waterway managers.
We assume that this question only arises when work is required on a bank. This may be for safety or stability reasons in combination with limited space or for the development of water-related industrial activities, for example. (In other cases, it is assumed that the bank can remain untouched of course). In these situations, we want to look for thateveral alternative that makes it possible to develop vegetation as much as possible and that also fulfils its water-repellent function as well as possible, which is responsible for, among other things, rigidity and safety. The extent to which an alternative fulfils these functions can be measured (e.g. via the stage in succession as far as vegetation development is concerned). In order to obtain the best possible answer to this question, this study examines the costs and benefits associated with the construction and management of a number of types of banks on the basis of five case studies.
The case studies were limited to navigable watercourses because it is assumed that, due to the impact of shipping on the banks, a minimum level of bank protection is required everywhere. In the case of unnavigable watercourses, from the point of view of nature conservation, natural banks are still preferred without human intervention where nature development can take place without restrictions.
Although it is not possible to make generally applicable statements on the basis of 5 case studies, by carrying out this SCBA, the Flemish government will still gain a good insight into the costs and benefits associated with the construction and maintenance of a number of types of NTMB banks. Based on this, economically justified choices can be made in the future with regard to the construction and management of banks and future bank management plans can be drawn up in such a way that the net benefits for society as a whole are as high as possible.
This report is structured as follows. We start with a chapter in which the theoretical basic principles of the social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) and the determination of the benefits of ecosystems are explained (chapter 2). Chapter 3 then classifies the various types of banks and briefly defines these types. Then, in this chapter, cases are selected for the various types of banks that are most relevant. Chapter 4 describes the various costs and benefits of these types of banks. The general starting points that are used for the calculation within all cases are stated. The case specific starting points are mentioned in chapter 5, the chapter in which the various cases are dealt with. In this chapter, the cost debate balance is determined for each case. Chapter 6 then discusses the attitude of waterway authorities and local residents towards the cases. The results of the cases are compared with each other in chapter 7, in which various sensitivity analyses are also carried out. On this basis, conclusions are drawn from which recommendations are made to waterway managers.
Number of pages: 132
Publication year:2011
Accessibility:Open