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: Entrance Cabauw atmospheric measurement facility
End Point: Entrance Cabauw atmospheric measurement facility
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
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