Half of the world's population lives in densely populated city regions in delta areas. These delta cities are among the most dynamic areas. They show fast urban and economic growth and undergo continuous transformation and development to facilitate space for living, working and recreation to meet the ever-increasing needs of the population. But delta cities are also among the most fragile areas. Delta cities face severe environmental degradation and are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, increased river discharge, extreme weather conditions, salination of groundwater and subsidence constitute significant and increasing threats to the delta cities and the people living in them. The devastating impact of hurricanes demonstrate the vulnerability of a delta city. Other delta cities suffer almost every year.

The increased pressure on delta cities have also led policy makers and experts to rethink their development strategies. Countries all over the world are looking into ways to adapt to climate change. The Netherlands, for example, are embarking on a long-term delta program for climate change adaptation of the Dutch Delta. All over the world, people are seeking practical, innovative, sustainable solutions to adapt to the impacts of climate change and facilitate sustainable development of delta cities.

Royal Haskoning, the Delta Alliance and the City of Rotterdam invite students from all over the world to enter the third edition of the DeltaCompetition and develop practical, innovative, sustainable solutions to the threats facing delta cities. We are looking for new, inspiring and daring ideas and practical solutions from a wide combination of disciplines that integrate urban development and flood risk reduction, fresh water provision and energy production, housing and sustainable infrastructure development, (water) transport and rainwater catchment, and / or smart tools to improve urban development policy, implementation and enforcement and water governance in delta cities. So… what idea do you have, big or small, that could help delta cities respond to their climate change challenges within a complex urban environment?

From all the ideas and solutions submitted to the DeltaCompetition, a jury will select the best three and award them with a prize of USD 3,000 each. Furthermore, we will invite the three winning teams to present their ideas to an international audience of decision-makers and experts during the Deltas in Times of Climate Change Symposium, to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 28th September to 1st October 2010.