Vandets Veje
By 2050, everyday life on Langeland will have a greater presence of water; sea levels will rise by 30–60 cm and there will be 20–40% more rainfall. Torrential downpours will become more frequent, bringing prolonged wet conditions, flash floods, and rising groundwater that poses a threat to drinking water quality.
Wetlands as a nature based solution to a future with more water. Rudkøbing Vejle, Langeland IVIPX00CS
In Rudkøbing Vejle, the combination of heavier rainfall and already high groundwater levels heightens the risk of flooding, impacting both farmlands and homes. Yet within this challenge lies an opportunity—a chance to rethink the way we live with water. At the heart of our 2050 vision is an interconnected wetland network, reclaiming areas where carbon-rich peat soil indicates the presence of historic and currently drained wetlands. Rather than working against nature, we embrace it. Moving away from rigid boundaries between urban, agricultural, and natural landscapes, we have imagined a dynamic, adaptive ecosystem for Rudkøbing Vejle and its surroundings. These wetlands will not only absorb excess water, preventing damaging floods, but also rejuvenate the land, support biodiversity, and cultivate a sustainable and symbiotic relationship between people, nature, and agriculture that can help address further climate change. a permeable, green and blue network integrated in the urban fabric focuses on absorbing excess water, and directing it to the wetlands.
2025: a human-centric landscape with a high flood risk The existing landscape around Rudkøbing Vejle consists of drained waterways, that have been replanned with agricultural use in mind. The shallow groundwater level, heavy farming and low soil quality, has resulted in a natural, urban and agricultural landscape vulnerable to flooding.
flood risk area
2050: an intertwined, blended landscape with wetlands at the heart Reestablishing a large natural wetland landscape, where water is allowed to flow naturally, acts as the adaptable buffer zone for dealing with increased water in agricultural and urban areas. Within the catchment area, water flows in to the central wetland, where it can be stored.
wetland area
ade
erg Øst
2050 - 50% protected nature Improving biodiversity by protecting and building upon the existing is a important key to maintaining the resilience of the wetland ecosystem and it’s ability to deal with increasing water.
t rage
Engd
protected nature 1:100.000
regenerative farming practices such as cover cropping, no tilling, crop rotation and ecological buffers of hedgerows and trees
large areas of reeds and wetland vegetation are vital to the wetlands health and it’s ability to clean the water running off from urban and agricultural areas.
Rudkøbing Vejle 1:1500
lakes and rivers
regenerative farming
grassland
agroforestry
shrub/planted area
forest
wetland
pathway
floodable space
reeds/wetland vegetation
permeable streetscape
protected nature