Climate scientist Elco Koks, professor of Strategy, Technology and Innovation at the University Research Chair (URC) Fleur Deken and organisational scientist Kathleen Stephenson from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Jasper Verschuur from TU Delft and Anja Overdiek from The Hague University of Applied Sciences receive 1,2 million euros from the KIC partnership with Next Generation Infrastructures ‘Responsible Transformations’.
Urgency for climate strategies
Society does not function without critical infrastructure systems. However, increasing interdependencies between these systems and the growing frequency of climate extremes, such as extreme rainfall events, droughts and heatwaves, have exposed significant vulnerabilities. ''Recent climate events across the Netherlands and Europe have underscored the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies that address these interconnected risks. Compounding these challenges, the Dutch infrastructure sector already faces resource constraints while balancing the demands of asset renewal, and societal transitions like decarbonisation and digitalisation'', project coordinator Elco Koks (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) explains.
Addressing climate challenges
Together with Rijkswaterstaat, ProRail, Havenbedrijf Rotterdam, Schiphol en Vervoersregio Amsterdam, Transformative Adaptation Strategies for Interdependent Critical Infrastructure (TASICI) aims to develop and implement innovative analytical models and intra- as well as inter-organisational frameworks that support coordinated, cross-sectoral responses to climate adaptation. By addressing three key gaps, understanding cascading risks, prioritising climate adaptation within resource constraints, and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, TASICI seeks to provide infrastructure operators with actionable tools and strategies to address climate challenges.
The project emphasises a corridor approach, focusing on two critical case studies: the Greater Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, centred around Schiphol Airport, and the Dutch section of the Rhine-Alpine Rail Corridor. “Such a corridor approach provides a unique perspective as multiple infrastructure operators have to work collaboratively to assess systemic vulnerabilities and develop adaptation pathways”, says Jasper Verschuur (TU Delft).
Co-creation
Through interdisciplinary collaboration, TASICI combines technical modelling, climate science, organisational and design research to align infrastructure strategies with societal resilience goals. The project facilitates co-creation with infrastructure operators and their stakeholders, ensuring the applicability of its outputs. By fostering knowledge exchange and aligning with national and European frameworks, TASICI paves the way for responsible climate adaptation, enhancing infrastructure reliability and economic resilience while supporting sustainable societal transitions.
NWO KIC Next Generation Infrastructures
With a clear focus on the most important transitions facing us in the Netherlands – climate, energy and circularity, the partnership NWO-NGinfra aims to guide these transitions by promoting scientific development and assessment of new approaches for infra-operators with the Call ‘Next Generation Infrastructures: Responsible Transformations’.