WATERQUEST 2019: one step closer to a solution to flooding?

Previously, we paid attention to the WATERQUEST 2019. A competition, launched by Nering Bögel, with the aim of getting a group of smart people together in a think tank. In order to come up with new solutions to the flooding problem in built-up areas.

Richard Janssen, owner of Nering Bögel and initiator of this competition, talks about the process and the latest developments. "Last year, with Infratech coming up, we approached a number of universities, colleges and other important knowledge institutes. Several applications from students at TU Delft, Leiden and Twente rolled in. Meanwhile, the first think tank session is a fact."

Students from TU Delft, Leiden and Twente at the first session of the WATERQUEST 2019. Listening attentively to the explanation of Richard Janssen, Nering Bögel.

Inspirer

One of the driving forces behind the WATERQUEST process is Nick van de Giessen. An international topper, asked by companies and government agencies worldwide to help think about water issues. Janssen immediately sees that the students have enormous respect for Van de Giessen and are eager to work with him. "The first session was therefore mainly intended to explain a bit more about the idea and what is expected of them. For example, a student from India told us what he had experienced in India in terms of flooding, and after a few film clips and his story, you noticed that a shared sense of social responsibility bubbled up: 'this is where the focus is' spun in the students' heads. 'Something must be done about the misery that people in villages and cities experience because of flooding. And we are going to try that, something is expected of us here'."

Clever minds

Janssen said he was surprised by the composition of the group. "From all disciplines that are or will be dealing with water issues, there are students at the table: civil, structural engineering, research, water management, mechanical engineering, international business and architecture. Great right?" In the beginning there was some reluctance, the students needed a push to really dare to think out-of-the-box. "Of course they have to abide by the laws of physics, but other than that we just wanted them to fantasize about it. Not thinking in terms of limitations or money, but brainstorming about other futuristic ideas. And then you notice that a number of people spontaneously dare to make enormous leaps of thought and that is exactly the intention."

Nick van de Giessen, inspiration and driving force in the process supervision of the WATERQUEST.

Jury

"In late May/early June, the jury will review the ideas submitted and announce who is up for prizes. After that, the choice is transparent: do you want to share your idea within the think tank or not? Because with those ideas we will start working after the summer." Janssen concludes: "We want to create a real inventors' club but not become an engineering firm 2.0. The group must be able to think at a high level and calculate models, but above all be able to unleash their creativity freely. Nering Bögel is merely the party in the background that organizes, facilitates and above all stimulates the process so that it takes shape. And I think it is fantastic that TU Delft has indicated that we can use their facilities for this process. The students went home extremely enthusiastic and ready for the next step."