Building with Nature
Building with Nature (BwN) represents an innovative approach to flood risk management by integrating natural and ecological systems into the design of adaptive infrastructure. Rather than relying solely on traditional ‘hard’ engineering solutions, BwN leverages the functions of ecosystems to deliver sustainable outcomes for the environment, economy, and society. This approach has gained significant traction in recent years, as evidence continues to support the long-term viability and resilience of nature-based solutions. The shift from static infrastructure to dynamic, evolving ecosystems introduces new demands on engineers and practitioners. It requires a deep understanding of ecological processes, adaptive design, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Key challenges in implementing BwN include:
- Understanding how natural systems evolve over time;
- Ensuring that safety and performance standards are consistently met;
- Managing and maintaining ecosystems as part of infrastructure systems;
- Navigating uncertainties within complex, multi-stakeholder governance frameworks.
These emerging challenges have catalyzed a growing body of research, particularly within the Civil Engineering & Management Department, where interdisciplinary research groups are exploring the frontiers of BwN design and implementation.
Course Objectives
This course provides you with a comprehensive foundation in BwN principles, with a specific focus on flood protection in low-lying deltas. It explores the integration of nature-based solutions into coastal and riverine flood management strategies.
You will gain:
- A state-of-the-art overview of coastal protection systems such as dunes, salt marshes, and mangroves;
- Insights into the application of BwN in river management;
- An understanding of the uncertainties and governance complexities influencing the effectiveness of nature-based solutions;
- Practical experience in interpreting field data and applying numerical models to simulate the behavior and performance of BwN interventions.
This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to design, assess, and implement BwN strategies in real-world contexts. With the possiblity to bring your own project to work on during the course.
For who? Professionals with a degree in Civil Engineering with a basic understanding of Matlab/Python
When? For 20 April 2026 - 19 June 2026, with multiple on campus contact moments during the week.
More in depth information on the course in our online course catalogue Osiris : link to osiris course information
Do you want to register for this course? Find the course registration form here
Want to see more courses related to this topic? Check out our overview to see which courses might be suitable
