Jos van Alphen

Biography

Presently: Retired / Affiliate Researcher (1 day/week) in "Climate Adaptation in Deltas and Coasts" Utrecht University – Faculty of Geosciences – Department of Physical Geography Developing building blocks for future-proof investments in coastal regions, anticipating sea-level rise.

2010 – April 2025: Member of the Staff of the Delta Programme Commissioner, responsible for strategy development and knowledge management. The Delta Programme is the national Dutch programme for long-term (to 2100) flood risk management and fresh water supply.

2007 – 2008: Member of the secretariat of the Committee on Sustainable Coastal Protection (2nd Delta Committee), responsible for the knowledge base.

1984 – 2007: Various positions at Dutch Rijkswaterstaat in coastal zone and river management, with a particular focus on flood risk management. Key relevant experience includes:

• Project leader for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan for the Voordelta
• Project leader for the 3rd International Conference on Flood Management (2005)
• Project leader for the implementation of the EU Floods Directive
• Dutch representative in the EU expert group on flood risk maps (EXCIMAP)
• Project leader for the development of new flood protection standards

International experience in flood risk management in Argentina, Bangladesh, China, USA, Japan, and most EU countries. Member of the Ad-hoc Committee on Flood Risk Management Conferences.

1983: MSc in Physical Geography, Utrecht University.