The Land and Water Development Chair Group group deals with the technology of adapting and managing land and water resources for specific forms of land use in rural, urban and industrial areas. Its activities focus on the development of rural areas and the topics of irrigation, drainage and flood protection.

Its activities fall into two main fields:

  • Irrigation, drainage and flood protection, including measures to install, improve, operate and maintain water management systems at the main and field system levels.
  • Integrated water management and flood protection in lowland and delta areas.

In recent decades, both the number and the area of irrigation and drainage systems worldwide have risen dramatically. But in many cases the performance of these systems has been disappointing, for a number of reasons – insufficient attention paid to non-technical aspects, inappropriate design, or poor implementation, particularly in relation to the design. The performance requirements of these systems are increasing due to factors such as population growth, rising living standards and increased demand. Old and new systems are now being modernized.

In the development of drainage systems, flood protection provisions may also be required. In order to ensure good performance, the development approach needs to focus on the manageability, sustainability and environmental impacts of such systems in a dynamic development.

Lowland and delta areas play an important role in the economy of many countries, as they often possess a high development potential. However, the development of such areas requires special measures, as the existing physical conditions are unsuitable for cultivation, or urban and industrial use. In view of the special conditions of lowlands and delta areas, and their important role in economic development, this core group deals with the techniques and organizational structures for the development and management of such areas, as well as their environmental impacts.

Activities

The activities of the Land and Water Development Chair Group include postgraduate education (to MSc and PhD levels) and research, as well as implementing or participating in projects dealing with education, capacity building and research on land and water development.

Chair Group Staff