Greening sheet pile walls with FLOT in the harbour of Oudenbosch

An innovative solution for hard sheet pile walls

Many Dutch quays and harbours are lined with steel sheet pile walls: functional structures, but with no room for nature. In the municipality of Halderberge, that has changed. In the Stadshaven of Oudenbosch we installed 140 floating FLOT modules, greening 195 metres of sheet pile wall. These smart, dynamic planters move with the water level and make a visible and measurable contribution to biodiversity and water quality.

Floating greenery where it wasn't possible before

The FLOT modules were developed specifically for vertical structures, such as steel sheet pile walls, where traditional floating vegetation is often not desirable. They combine ecology with engineering, and create room for flora and fauna in places where only steel used to be visible. Thanks to their modular design, the planters can easily be attached, maintained or replaced.

The benefits at a glance:

• More biodiversity – Native bank plants offer shelter, nesting places and food for insects, fish, amphibians and birds.

• Better water quality – The roots filter nutrients from the water and encourage a natural balance.

• A greener look – The harbour area gets a softer, more natural appearance.

• Flexible and robust – The modules cope with changing water levels and are very sturdy.

• Socially sustainable – Production involves Social Return on Investment (SROI).

A collaborative project

The project was realised in close cooperation with the municipality of Halderberge, students from Curio Bergen op Zoom, MH Poly Consultants and Engineers and Dutch Water Tech BV. The Province of North Brabant helped make the project possible through a grant for ecological innovation.

Students from the Engineering Technician programme took an active part in the work. They helped build the planters, process natural materials such as cork and put in the plants. This cooperation between education and practice benefits not only the project, but also knowledge development for the future.

An inspiring example of urban greening

With the FLOT modules, Oudenbosch is taking a concrete step towards a climate-adaptive and biodiverse living environment. The positive results of the earlier pilot formed the basis for this scale-up, which other municipalities now see as an example project.

At a time when greening urban space is high on the agenda – think of initiatives such as the National Nature Programme or the Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation – FLOT offers a practical and visually strong solution.

What does the future hold?

In the coming months the plants will continue to develop. The greenery is expected to be at full strength in summer, and the effect on the surroundings will be clearly visible and noticeable. The project shows that nature, engineering and urban infrastructure can go hand in hand – as long as there is room to grow.

Want to know more about FLOT or the options for greening sheet pile walls in your municipality?

Feel free to contact us at info@dutchwatertech.nl. We are happy to advise you on using FLOT in your specific situation.