Excursion 1: Cabauw Atmospheric Research Station
Rising above the flat Dutch polder landscape near the village of Cabauw stands one of Europe’s most important atmospheric observatories. The Cabauw Atmospheric Research Station has been observing the atmosphere and underlying surface for decades. Its most recognizable feature is a slender 213-metre meteorological tower, built in the early 1970s to probe the atmosheric boundary layer with in-situ measurements. Currently, the site is equipped with a dense collection of instruments that continuously monitor wind, temperature, humidity, radiation, aerosols, clouds, and greenhouse gases. Together, they provide a detailed picture of how the atmosphere behaves over time — how air mixes, how clouds form, how pollutants disperse, and how energy flows between the land and the atmosphere.
The tour starts with a short introduction, explaining the concept and context of Cabauw atmospheric observational site, its objectives, and providing an overview of the measurements that are being performed there. After that, we will guide you through some of the specific measurements fields such as the baseline radiation network, energy balance terrain, automated weather station, and remote sensing sub-site. At each measurement field, we will provide insights into the research objectives and on the specific measurements that are being performed.
Starting Point: Jaarbeurs
End Point: Jaarbeurs
Excursion 2: Visit to The Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI)
KNMI is the Dutch national research and information centre for meteorology, climate, and seismology. KNMI contributes 24/7 to a safe and liveable Netherlands by providing society with independent knowledge, advice, and warnings about risks in the field of weather, climate, and seismology.
During this excursion, you will explore the extensive measurement field, where a wide range of instruments is tested. In the KNMI operations room, you will get a behind-the-scenes look at the products and services delivered 24/7, including aviation services and weather warnings for the general public. We will also visit the KNMI calibration laboratory, and, of course, a presentation on KNMI and its climate research will round off the programme.
Starting Point: Jaarbeurs
End Point: Jaarbeurs
Excursion 3: The Green Village
The Green Village is a regulatory-flexible field lab situated on the TU Delft Campus with a focus on the built environment, allowing testing at neighbourhood, street, and building levels. Here knowledge and educational institutions, businesses, governments, and citizens research, experiment, validate, and demonstrate their sustainable innovations. By addressing technical, business-economic, socio-cultural, and regulatory challenges, The Green Village serves as a catalyst for accelerating innovative solutions from theory to practical application.
The tour starts with a short introduction, explaining the concept and context of The Green Village, our objectives, and our unique innovation process. After that, we will guide you through some of the most engaging sustainable innovation projects within the themes of Sustainable Building and Renovation, Future Energy Systems, and Climate-Adaptive Cities. At each project, we will provide insights into the research objectives and potential market impact. We also explore how the challenges for innovations extend beyond the technical realm, touching on aspects such as regulations, business economics, and public acceptance.
Starting Point: Jaarbeurs
End Point: The Green Village Delft
Excursion 4: Visit to The Maeslantkering and the Keringhuis
In this excursion you will visit the so called Maeslantkering, which is the final flood barrier in a long series that the Netherlands has built after the major floods in February 1953. The Maeslandkering consists of two movable doors; it has two gates, each 210 meters wide, 22 meters high, and 15 meters deep. Closing the barrier takes a total of two hours. This Delta project can withstand a tidal wave of 5 meters. The Maeslantkering is located in the Nieuwe Waterweg at the entrance of the Rotterdam harbour and was built between 1991 and 1997. The structure is fully automated. The Maeslantkering is a front-loading barrier, meaning it absorbs the initial impact of high water from the sea. This storm surge barrier thus protects the residents of South Holland. An additional coastal protection measure that was built is the Sand Engine at the coast of South Holland. Sand was put at the coast with the intention that the natural forces of water and wind will re-distribute the sand naturally to develop a strong coastal protection.
The programme of the excursion consists of:
- Video about the Dutch Delta Works
- A presentation at the Water Storytelling Square
- A guided tour outdoors to the Maeslantkering infrastructure
- A presentation about the Sand Engine (tbc)
Starting Point: Jaarbeurs
End Point: Jaarbeurs
Excursion 5: Historic City Walk – Utrecht City Centre
During this 1.5-hour city walk, you will dive into nearly 2,000 years of history. We begin with Utrecht’s Roman past, when the city was a strategic fortress on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Then stroll through medieval streets, along canals, wharf cellars, and impressive monuments that tell the story of a thriving trading city.
Of course, we will also pause at one of the most dramatic moments in the city’s history: the destruction of the nave of the Dom Church by a devastating tornado in 1674. How this event permanently changed the cityscape is something you will discover on site.
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, starting at 2:00 PM.
Starting Point: Dom square (approx. 10 minutes walk from Jaarbeurs)
Social Event: Pub Quiz
Join us on Wednesday evening, the 9th of September 20:00-23:00 for the EMS AM Social activity! This year, the local organizers will host a pub quiz, accessible for everyone attending the conference.
Come along with your fellow colleagues, or use this opportunity to get-to-know new people! The pubquiz venue is NEEL, which is a separate room attached to restaurant LEEN, located just on the border of Utrecht city centre, and only a 30 min walk or 10 min public transport commute from the EMS2026 conference venue.
You can expect good vibes, questions on meteorology, science in general, and the beautiful city of Utrecht, so please come along! We ask an entrance fee of 5 euros to support the costs for the event. Drinks are at own costs, there is no opportunity to have dinner during the event.
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