The two official Dutch research programmes on climate change and spatial planning (Climate changes Spatial Planning and Knowledge for Climate), the City of Rotterdam and the C40 (a group of the world’s largest cities committed to tackling climate change) invite scientists, politicians, policy-makers and practitioners to share their knowledge and experience in a major international conference on climate adaptation.

The conference pursues three main goals:
1. exchanging up-to-date top science on climate change and delta planning
2. strengthening international cooperation between deltas and delta cities
3. exploring and strengthening the links between science, policy and practitioners

Authors who wish to present a paper or poster related to the scientific programme are invited to submit an abstract.

The abstracts have to be submitted before 15 March 2010, and will be expected to fit within one of the themes:
1. Regional climate, sea level rise, storm surges, river run-off and coastal flooding
2. Fresh water availability under sea level rise and climate change
3. Climate change and estuarine ecosystems
4. Climate change and climate proofing in urban areas
5. Competing claims and land use in deltas under climate change
6. Governance and economics of climate adaptation
7. Decision support instruments for climate adaptation policy
8. Climate and health in delta areas
9. Managing extreme weather risks

Dates to be remembered:
March 15: deadline for submission of abstract
March: registration open (fee: approximately € 350)
April/May: notification of abstract/poster selection
August 1: submission of draft full paper

During the conference, the Delta Alliance, Connecting Delta Cities and the C40 will be working to develop worldwide cooperation between deltas and delta cities. The Delta Alliance is an international alliance promoting effective cooperation among deltas in their efforts to manage existing and new challenges. The Connecting Delta Cities is an international network that unites delta cities that strive to make their cities climate proof.

More information is available at the conference website and the brochure of the conference.