P010 → Ved vandet 2024

The Grenaa River Basin under Future Rewilding and Regenerative Hybrid Agriculture

Over the past two hundred years, we have effectively regulated the natural water system in Denmark to adapt it to human needs rather than the other way around. However, the system is now under extreme pressure from increasing rainfall, and as the daily news flow indicates, it is facing multiple challenges. The solution is not to expand the system, but to develop new ways of managing water. Over the last hundred years, watercourses have been shaped according to the needs of our farmlands, so it is natural to look at agriculture that operates on nature's terms rather than agriculture that seeks to exploit and deplete the soil. New approaches to land-use planning, where water is managed in a much more nature-based and holistic manner, are necessary—not only for the sake of inhabited areas and our natural environment and biodiversity but also as part of the essential transition to more sustainable agriculture.

In the Grenaa River Basin, we can similarly remove internal fences and reduce agricultural production to allow for more natural hydrology and habitat formation. This includes:

Restoration of Natural Watercourses: Removing drainage pipes and channels to restore wetlands and natural riverbeds, which can help control flooding and promote biodiversity.

Vertical Farming in Village's Vacant Commercial Buildings and Possible Towers: Utilizing innovative technology for sustainable food production in the form of a vertical farming tower, which can also serve as a symbol of future sustainable agriculture. The façade could be made of transparent solar panels to integrate renewable energy while reducing water consumption by 70% through a closed-cycle system.

Regenerative Agriculture: Transitioning to no-till farming, where each field operates as a closed cycle, and the soil is fertilized through carbon sequestration. This minimizes the use of fertilizers and reduces CO2 emissions, as the bacteria in the soil are not aerated and therefore do not break down microorganisms at the same rate.

Legislation: A critical component in the development of the Grenaa River Basin is the adaptation and compliance with applicable legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act, the Water Framework Directive, and the Planning Act. It is essential to ensure that all measures comply with legal frameworks while working to influence future legislation to support nature-based solutions and sustainable land management. Collaboration with authorities and interest groups will be necessary to create favorable conditions for the project's success and long-term sustainability.

Through these initiatives, we can create a future where the Grenaa River Basin evolves into a nature-rich and sustainable area with recreational opportunities, increased biodiversity, and a resilient local economy with future-proof agriculture.