On 18 and 19 April, a multi-company delegation from Singapore visited three iconic Witteveen+Bos’ reference projects and clients, to learn about integrated and future-proof soil and landfill remediation. The visit is aimed at supporting the development of a framework for the management, remediation and use of contaminated land in Singapore.

On Thursday, the group of directors and experts from NEA, PUB, HDB, JTC and the ministerial department Environmental Protection of the National Environment Agency – led by Director-General Ananda Ram Bhaskar – visited a remediation project at the 3^rd Merwedehaven in Dordrecht in the Province of South Holland. The remediation, carried out by Indaver and KWS, of an old landfill is in full swing. During the site visit and discussion afterward, hosted by Witteveen+Bos and Indaver, a lot of questions were answered about the management, stakeholder communication and technical issues that arise in the redevelopment of a polluted area into an accessible and enjoyable nature park.

Friday morning the delegation was welcomed at the Witteveen+Bos Amsterdam office. The party was introduced to the Volgermeerpolder project development, from the early nineteen eighties till today. The City of Amsterdam, represented by Mr. Jacques de Jong, introduced the Diemerzeedijk project as a starting point for the site visits to both locations. The Diemerzeedijk in Amsterdam is a perfect example of isolating and treating contaminants in soils while simultaneously developing the multifunctional area with living areas, sports and leisure, and nature.

After lunch, the Volgermeerpolder north of Amsterdam was visited. It is one of the most impressive and complex remediation and land development projects in the Netherlands. On top of what used to be one of the most polluted sites in the Netherlands, after isolating and treating a new, predominantly moist, animate layer has been applied, forming the fundaments of a unique 'paddy field' waterway system. A valuable and vulnerable ecosystem was created, supported by a complex water system which is integrated in the surrounding area. The full integration of technical and landscape design is now in place and was enjoyed by the delegation members.