Bas Rem Advocates User-Centric Innovation for Effective Community Solutions
Delft, Tuesday, 9 September 2025.
Bas Rem emphasizes that innovation must align with user needs to be truly impactful, bridging the gap between policy and execution for meaningful community advancements.
User-Centric Innovation in Delftland
At the ImpactLab in Delftland, Bas Rem, an innovation advisor at the Hoogheemraadschap van Delftland, highlighted the critical role of user-centric innovation in addressing community needs. Rem argues that innovation becomes truly valuable when it is tailored to the users who will implement it. By focusing on the needs of users, Rem seeks to bridge the gap between policy, technology, and practical execution, ensuring that technological advancements translate into meaningful community impacts [1].
Collaborative Efforts for Greater Impact
Rem’s approach emphasizes collaboration among water authorities, as many face similar challenges yet often work in isolation. He believes that by sharing knowledge and working together on joint initiatives, water authorities can make significant strides in innovation, despite the increased time it may take [1]. This collaborative strategy is particularly crucial given the ‘huge challenges’ faced by water authorities in the Netherlands, such as managing water quality and preventing pollution [1].
Current Concerns and Innovations
One of the innovative projects from Delftland, ‘Rainlevelr,’ focuses on collaboration with horticulture to prevent water damage. This project is among the finalists for the ‘Government Innovation of the Year 2025’ award, highlighting its significant potential impact [2]. The announcement of the shortlist for this award was made on 8 September 2025, and the winner will be revealed on 27 November 2025 [2].
Addressing Environmental Challenges
Recently, Delfland detected high PFAS levels in a waterway in Forepark, The Hague, despite earlier remediation efforts. This discovery underscores the ongoing environmental challenges that water authorities face and the need for innovative solutions to maintain water quality [3]. The detection of a different type of PFAS than previously found suggests a new source of contamination, prompting further investigation by Delfland [3].