Partner Spotlight: Deltares, the voice of the soil and water system.

Deltas are where water and land converge, creating some of the most vibrant and complex ecosystems on Earth. These regions are also among the most vulnerable to climate change and the impacts of human activity. It is therefore crucial for human societies to focus on how infrastructure systems can be made more resilient to extreme weather events and cascading failures.

At the heart of these efforts is Deltares, an independent, not-for-profit knowledge institute renowned for its expertise in water and soil systems. As one of the seven partners in the Multi-hazard Infrastructure Risk Assessment for Climate Adaptation (MIRACA) project, Deltares is helping create adaptive, resilient infrastructure systems.

“Based on our knowledge, we serve as the eyes, ears, and sometimes the voice of the soil and water system,” they explain. This commitment to science and openness drives Deltares’ involvement in the MIRACA project, where they’re helping to craft innovative solutions for some of Europe’s most pressing challenges.

We spoke with Margreet van Marle expert in wildfires and resilient infrastructure, and Kees van Ginkel researcher on water management and climate change adaptation, to learn about Deltares’ role in MIRACA and how their work supports a more resilient future for Europe.

Leading the way in adaptation.

Deltares plays a crucial role in MIRACA by leading the working package 4 on adaptation. They explain: “Within this working package, we provide an overview of adaptation options, ranging from hazard-level adaptation to object, single network, and system-level options. We also develop an appraisal framework for these adaptation strategies.”

This framework is designed to help stakeholders – from infrastructure managers to policymakers – evaluate and implement effective solutions that enhance resilience to climate hazards. By focusing on system-level adaptations and the cascading effects of critical infrastructure, Deltares is breaking new ground in climate risk management.

Why MIRACA matters to Deltares.

Deltares’ decision to join MIRACA aligns closely with its mission to deepen the understanding of resilience processes while supporting informed decision-making. “One of our main goals as an applied research institute is to facilitate informed investments in infrastructure networks,” says Kees van Ginkel. “What we’re developing in MIRACA particularly around system-level adaptation and the cascading effects of critical infrastructure, is an area that’s not yet well-explored. We’re delighted to make a valuable contribution in this space.”

Their participation underscores Deltares’ commitment to combining practical solutions with cutting-edge research, ensuring that MIRACA delivers actionable insights for climate adaptation across Europe.

Unique expertise.

Deltares’ contributions to MIRACA are built on a solid foundation of expertise in resilience and criticality analyses. The organization excels in analyzing infrastructure at multiple scales from individual components to entire systems, and employs advanced modeling techniques to assess vulnerabilities.

“We analyze infrastructure at different levels, varying from object level to connection, network, and system level,” Kees explains. “By performing cost-benefit analyses and socio-economic evaluations, we aim to identify the best possible adaptation strategies while accounting for an uncertain future.”

This comprehensive approach ensures that MIRACA’s toolkit not only addresses immediate risks but also provides long-term solutions that are sustainable, adaptable, and economically viable.

The bigger picture.

For Deltares, one of MIRACA’s most exciting outcomes lies in linking system-scale climate event modeling with practical adaptation strategies. “The modeling of system-scale impacts of climate events is very valuable,” Margreet notes. “But how this links to adaptation is even more interesting because it provides insights into the benefits or potential downsides of adaptation options when viewed from a societal perspective, rather than in silos of different infrastructure sectors.”

This holistic approach is critical to ensuring that adaptation strategies address the interconnected realities of modern infrastructure systems, enabling decision-makers to develop solutions that work not just for one sector, but for society as a whole.

With a team of over 900 professionals from more than 60 nationalities, Deltares embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation needed to tackle today’s complex climate challenges. Guided by their mission, “Enabling Delta Life” they focus on developing solutions for habitable deltas, flood protection, healthy water systems, sustainable energy, and resilient infrastructure.

Their contributions to MIRACA exemplify their commitment to openness and impact. Through initiatives like MIRACA, Deltares continues to fulfill its motto, “dare to share,” by openly sharing its knowledge, methods, and results to drive meaningful change.

To learn more about Deltares’ work in climate-resilient infrastructure, visit their website or connect with them on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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About MIRACA.

Led by a consortium of top researchers, engineers, and climate specialists, the Multi-hazard Infrastructure Risk Assessment for Climate Adaptation (MIRACA) project is strengthening Europe’s critical infrastructure against the impacts of climate change. MIRACA equips public authorities with an innovative decision-support toolkit—featuring technical guidance, a resilience-testing workbench, and an interactive online viewer—to assess risks, explore adaptation strategies, and close data gaps. With open-access models and practical insights from five diverse European use cases, MIRACA empowers communities to implement cost-effective, resilient infrastructure solutions across the continent.