Innovation projects
The DCMR is an active partner in projects, in which new approaches are developed to improve the environmental situation. These projects are in the field of air quality, noise, and sustainable industrial production.
Air Quality
Air quality does not stop at regional or national borders. Ambient concentrations in the larger Rotterdam area are influenced by emissions elsewhere on the European continent and likewise the Netherlands appears to be a net exporter of particulate matter to other regions and countries. The air quality unit has a number of international contacts and actively participates in European projects. In addition, the air quality unit participates in the general (international) exchange and advisory services of the DCMR.
The air quality unit runs an air quality monitoring network (see the current concentrations in the DCMR area on line). The unit has contacts with other monitoring networks in the Netherlands and abroad on amongst others methodology issues and Round Robin testing.
The air quality unit has developed specific expertise on monitoring and modelling of air quality problems, due to the large size of the industrial area of the Port of Rotterdam. This expertise is related to petrochemical industries and the impact of road and shipping transport.
Regional Approach
The DCMR and ROM-Rijnmond have combined and integrated their activities on air quality in the region Rijnmond in one approach. The improvement of the air quality is in the interest of the public health, the environment and the economic development. All possible measures for improving the air quality have been researched. The result of the research is a selection of 34 best and most efficient measures.
Since December 2005, the region Rijnmond has established its own action programme for the improvement of the air quality. A large number of regional parties such as the municipality of Rotterdam, the Port of Rotterdam, the stadsregio Rotterdam and the province South Holland have co-operated in establishing the programme. The national government and representatives of the trade and industry also participated. The measures have effect on road traffic, shipping, rail traffic, households and industry.
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International projects in air quality
The air quality unit was and is active in a number of international projects:
- HEAVEN on traffic related urban air quality and noise
- CITEAIR on urban air quality, public information and air quality management
- AIR4EU on the development of instruments for monitoring and modelling of ambient air quality in the context of the EU directives (1999/30/EC)
- PARFUM on monitoring and modelling PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations related to heavy duty vehicles and public transport
- DIADEM on supporting environmental management in industrial settings
- CITEAIRII on urban air quality, public information and air quality management (a successor to CITEAIR)
