Abstract

In this paper we will discuss the experience gained in the Netherlands with the multifunctional management of waterways. We will especially go into how the functions of rivers and canals for navigation and nature are combined. For this we will briefly go back to the national paper for Seville 1994, "Waterways with room for nature", in which the essence of the multifunctional approach has been outlined. Preserving the infrastructure of waterways in a sustainable manner is in the Netherlands also made possible by a special way of cooperation between responsible authorities and nature conservation organizations which we will discuss here. By means of five cases we will present our experience with combining functions in waterway management, particular attention being paid to the combination of navigation and nature. The cases have been classified according to the Rivers and Canals watersystems. Before discussing experiences, we will give a short description of the characteristics of the systems and the possibilities in these to combine nature (development) and navigation. We will conclude by going into what we have learnt the past ten years and will offer a view of what will become important in the future when combining the functions of waterways.