Yvonne van Mil, Mila Avellar Montezuma, Marlies Augustijn, Beate Begon, Jean-Paul Corten, Fangfei Schutte-Liu, Matteo D’Agostino, Paolo De Martino, Mattia De Lotto, Carola Hein, John Hanna, Lukas Höller, Elena Marie Ensenado, Lea Kayrouz, Alankrita Sarkar, and Francesca Savoldi
Large ports such as Rotterdam, Shanghai, or Los Angeles are always in the foreground; they are in the press, the subject of many academic studies, and key players in political decision-making, but what about all small and medium-sized ports in the same territory? If we look at the map of the port city territory of Rotterdam (Hein et al., 2023), we see several red spots indicating the ports of Scheveningen, Schiedam, Dordrecht, and Moerdijk, among others. These ports facilitate access to water and land, effectively support local industries, connect communities, and cooperate with larger maritime hubs (Figure 1). Together, these small ports form an important spatial, social, and economic grouping that is under-researched (Carella et al., 2024) and in need of comprehensive planning and policy advice. This blog presents different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of small ports by presenting five ongoing projects by PortCityFutures members that address key issues in small ports. These projects were presented during the poster presentation at the symposium (RE-) CONNECTING MARITIME-URBAN ECOSYSTEMS on 16-17 September, 2024.
In today's rapidly changing landscape and at a time of rising sea levels, port city territories or other water-bound areas face complex challenges—balancing security, sustainability, and economic development. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach that values the insights and innovations of smaller port communities in building a resilient and sustainable future. However, the important role of smaller ports is often overlooked (Carella et al., 2024). Small ports are located along coastlines, rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water, and generally operate with smaller vessels and limited capacity, handling less than 10 million tonnes of goods annually (Bernacki & Lis, 2021). They tend to have a smaller physical size and footprint, less extensive infrastructure, and fewer facilities than larger ports.
Small ports can be defined not only by their volume of cargo handled, but also in relation to other ports within the same ecosystem, territory, or network. Smaller ports can play a crucial role in the resilience of the territory, contributing to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Unlike large ports, which are often resistant to change, smaller ports such as Scheveningen, Schiedam, and Nijmegen offer opportunities for experimentation and innovation. Their deep-rooted links to the local maritime heritage make them ideal places to test new ideas, foster collaboration, and build a resilient future. In addition, these ports need targeted policies, planning, and support to meet contemporary challenges and maintain their position or even survival, especially in terms of long-term development and their relationship with the regional or territorial context.
Small coastal ports along the North Sea
The Living with Water project underscores the importance of small ports in the Dutch Delta, showing how studying these adaptable hubs can drive structural, cultural, and environmental changes across the region, especially in more complex ports like Rotterdam. By focusing on small coastal ports, the project aligns with broader strategic themes explored by the NXR-2024 Designing for Extremes initiative, where port resilience and heritage strategies are at the forefront of adapting to climate challenges. Both projects converge on the critical goal of preparing Dutch coastal cities to withstand rising sea levels through innovative strategies that blend cultural heritage with traditional-contemporary-innovative adaptation measures. This holistic approach not only alleviates pressures on larger port hubs but also strengthens the connection between communities, ports, and the urban-maritime territories that surround them, forming a roadmap for future resilient port-city relations and contributing insights toward global adaptation strategies and public policies.
Living with water: Exploring the role of small ports of the Dutch Delta (figure 2) explores how studying small ports can inspire structural, cultural, and environmental changes in larger ports like Rotterdam. The Dutch Delta, known for its innovative water management and maritime infrastructure, faces increasing challenges due to climate change, urbanization, and evolving economic demands (Meyer, 2012). The project aims to define what makes a small port unique within the global network and to explore the relationship between ports and cities. It will gather insights from key actors and stakeholders to examine current trends and imagine future scenarios, which will culminate in a conference, bringing together experts to share knowledge and shape the future of small ports. By adopting a holistic approach, it aims to co-create resilient, sustainable futures for the Delta region’s small ports. Engaging citizens in the process will help generate implementable solutions that improve the relationship between cities, ports, and water. A comprehensive “Catalog of best practices” will capture the narratives of different small port cities, offering insights through data, spatial analysis, expert opinions, and innovative student projects. This will serve as a roadmap for future port-city relations.
