On the 6th of February 2019, the Civil Engineering symposium ‘Searching for Space – Efficient allocation of our environment’ was held.
Theme
Searching for Space – Efficient allocation of our environment
Growing population and urbanization lead to ever-growing cities with skylines of construction cranes and tight building sites in city centres. Heavy rainfalls that flood streets, because every square meter is paved and sewage systems lack capacity. The increasing number of people that want to travel from A to B is leading to traffic jams and overcrowded public transport. Besides a place to live, we also need places to work, such as offices and industry. Furthermore, we want possibilities for leisure, but also nature needs a place. Nowadays, civil engineers are searching for space to provide all the needs we have.
During the symposium “Searching for Space – efficient allocation of our environment” we explore how the world of civil engineering deals with the lack of space. Which innovations are there to use the available infrastructure more efficiently? Which techniques are used to build in or under dense areas? How can we manage the integrated, complex, and innovative projects that are needed to maintain our society? Shortly: how can civil engineers use existing techniques and methods and what innovations are needed to be able to allocate our environment more efficiently?
Organisation
The 26th symposium was organised by the committee below:
- Floris Nijland – Chairman
- Jasper Kouters – Vice Chairman
- Masha Odijk – Secretary
- Daan Knijnenburg – Treasurer
- Vera Glas – Chief of External Affairs
- Thorvald Rorink – Chief of External Affairs
- Bregje Braaksma – Chief of Planning

Day’s Chairman
![]() | Ir. Jan-Paul Boutkan – Municipality of Enschede |
Speakers
![]() | Sander Dorelijn – ABT |
![]() ![]() | Hans Kramer and Ronald Adams – Rijkswaterstaat |
![]() | Jeroen van den Bos – Boskalis |
Teacher Panel
![]() | Prof. Dr. Ir. E.C. (Eric) Van Berkum – Full Professor, Centre for Transport Studies |
![]() | Dr. M.S. (Maarten) Krol – Associate Professor, Water Management |
![]() | Dr. Ir. F. (Faridaddin) Vahdatikhaki – Assistant Professor, Construction Management & Engineering |
Identification Committee
![]() | Dr. G.O. (Onno) van Veldhuizen – Mayor of Enschede |
![]() | prof. Dr. T.T.M. (Thomas) Palstra – Rector Magnificus. University of Twente |
![]() | Dr. S.R. (Sergei) Miller – Programme director Civil Engineering Department |