From theory to practice

An important objective of the partners is to turn all the research data and findings into practical tools for water managers, levee experts and the next generation. Several partners are working on these tools and products, examples are the Data Wizard and the toolbox. 

The Data Wizard

The Data Wizard is an online platform where all the research data of the Polder2C’s project can be stored and made accessible to the public. The goal of the Data Wizard is to provide easy access to the data and turn these data into knowledge by providing the correct context. Want to see how this works? Read about the Data Wizard in this article. 

Toolbox

Another product that is being developed is a toolbox where practical tools, such as guidelines, plans, exercise sheets, checklists, handbooks and tutorials, are brought together. The toolbox will contain tools in the field of both Flood Defense and Emergency Response. Educational tools will also be provided in order to efficiently inform and educate the next generation of experts in these fields.

"It was evident that everyone understood the importance of the end product and wanted the toolbox to be a success."

Jadon Beerlandt

Jadon Beerlandt, Researcher at KU Leuven, presented the progress on the toolboxes during the partner meeting: “I recently joined the project but in a community like this, you quickly feel at home and at peace. The feedback obtained was equally apparent in this way. Everyone was given a chance to speak and could openly express their opinions. This is critical in the construction of the toolbox since everyone must be satisfied with the final product and, perhaps more importantly, want to use it. As a result, this method of operation was a success. There were numerous things I hadn't considered, as well as minor details that can make a major difference. I also felt like there was a lot of discussion going on, but in a good way. It was evident that everyone understood the importance of the end product and wanted it to be a success.”

Collaboration

Another theme of the partner meeting was to further establish the collaboration and partnership of all partners and observers involved. Several topics have been further discussed, such as expanding to twin sites in the countries involved, ways to connect more with the observers and looking for prolonged collaboration.   

Twin sites

Besides the Hedwige-Prosperpolder, other areas in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom may be suitable to be a Living Lab for the Polder2C’s partner consortium, called twin sites. Reasons to set up twin sites are to connect observer partners and partners, and to transfer knowledge from Polder2C’s to twin sites and to collect data from twin sites to Polder2C’s. Several areas in France have been proposed and the possibilities and feasibility for setting up twin sites are being looked into. 

Connect with observers

Other initiatives to connect with observers were to participate in existing events or conferences in the countries involved to meet up with partners and observers in certain areas and to organise specialised webinars and field visits.  

Prolonged Collaboration

The partners also focused on a long-term commitment to working together, the prolonged collaboration after the Polder2C’s project ends. Different categories of prolonged collaboration have been explored: evolve the existing international groups of partners, form new groups of partners, create legacy and other possible methods. The opportunities, blockers and possible solutions have been discussed and will be further developed.

"We are looking forward to continue working on scientific research, practical experiments, twin sites, data analysis using the Data Wizard and more."

Wouter Zomer

Education

Finally, educating the next generation is an important pillar of the Polder2C’s project that was given some attention. The partners reflected on this subject to see what is needed to guarantee that all findings and data are used to educate the next generation of experts. Partners shared what they need to meet this goal, existing networks and how to involve students and change data into educational formats.

Wouter Zomer, Project Manager at STOWA and part of the organising team of the partner meeting, looks back on a fruitful event: “The partners all recognise the added value of the project. We have accomplished a lot since the start of the project. And we are all looking forward to continue working on scientific research, practical experiments, twin sites, data analysis using the Data Wizard and more. All in all, valuable results and plans to go on in the future.”