The floating gardens are currently located in the Kleine Noorder IJplas.
Rijkswaterstaat, Waterschap Amstel Gooi en Vecht Water Board, TAUW and Waardenburg Ecology, in collaboration with NOVAMBER (Waterkaravaan initiator), intend to investigate the multi-annual ecological impact of the Waterkaravaan. This is complements earlier research in the Kleine Noorder IJplas, and research on other floating garden projects in Amsterdam. NOVAMBER coordinates and shares the results.
We like to create new gardens to enhance the aquatic environment. We can tailor these gardens to a specific locations and functionalities. The gardens will also continue to evolve based on the results of monitoring and (design) research. This will also demonstrate the added value for biodiversity and water quality.
We want to investigate the ecological value of the (various) floating gardens from the KRW 2027 (Water Framework Directive) 2027 goals. What is the impact on water quality and aquatic biodiversity? Think of plant growth above and below water, root development, attachment organisms, fish, insects, etc. This allows us to draw conclusions about the value of the gardens for aquatic nature.
It is important to see how the floating gardens cope with wind and weather through the seasons. The performance of various design modules and materials is tested. How do the main- and substructures last over a longer period of time? How can we focus the design of floating gardens on location-specific objectives?
How much maintenance is desirable for the floating gardens? De Waterkaravaan wants to maintain the hulls with sheltered workshop Amsterdams Grachtenhout BV (Amsterdam Canalwood LLC), which has also built the Waterkaravaan hulls. We do not expect this to be necessary in the early years. However, the modules are designed in such a way that you can replace beams. Plant maintenance (pruning, harvesting, replanting) can also be done with this organisation, in consultation with green management Municipality of Amsterdam.
