Finally in the Delta
Description
On 1 February 2013, it will be 60 years since Zeeland, South Holland, West Brabant and also Texel were hit by water. Reason for KIVI NIRIA and the Watersnoodmuseum to jointly organise a series of nine lectures.
The Dutch Delta Works are a modern wonder of the world. The contained delta behind them is clean, whole and safe. But its natural and recreational value is relatively low: much lower than if the entire landscape were permeated by the delta: the delta landscape of the delta metropolis. This is an important realisation: it is precisely that delta landscape that can be the economic success of the delta metropolis.
Living in a delta requires 'delta feeling', being part of an environment surrounded by water, experienced from dykes, dams and bridges. Much of the delta feeling is not there in practice: few residents of our delta realise they live below sea level. At the same time, there is a big task ahead for our flood defences, including picturesque places like Volendam. What does this mean for Holland's water towns and villages? In Rotterdam, for example, the sense of living in a water city is totally different from that in 'real' water cities like Amsterdam and Delft.
True delta nature in the Netherlands lies far outside the door, and not up to the pavement like in Denmark. For dynamic and pure delta landscapes, you have to go to our narrow coast, or (far away) the Scheldes. Nature areas close to the city are often artificial, static with little adventure: the Delta Metropolis is devoid of high-quality delta nature. Why no delta landscape or delta nature where you can live and recreate like on holiday?
Compare Veerse Meer to Baie du Mont St. Michel: there is no surrogate for real Delta nature. With a reintroduction of tides, the South Holland and Zeeland Delta will experience a second youth as a dynamic delta. Shrinkage regions will become the backyard of the Delta metropolis. The same can be said of the Dutch coast. Sure: the cities and villages directly on the coast exude the mundane atmosphere of a seaside resort, but can't the delta atmosphere reach much deeper into the metropolitan landscape?
Background
LOLA landscape architects' mission is to optimise lost, forgotten or changing landscapes (LOst LAndscapes). LOLA won the Delta Water Award in 2010 with a landscape strategy to boost the landscape and experience of the Grevelingen estuary with subdued tides. It subsequently produced the regional landscape vision Travel Guide Grevelingen, drew up a renovation plan for the Grevelingendam and developed a recreational vision for the Haringvliet. It is currently working on a country-wide study of dykes, the results of which will be published (inter)nationally in 2014.
Each lecture will have the following programme:
15.30-16.00: Walk-in with coffee and Bolus
16.00-17.00: Lecture
17.00-17.30: Snack and drink to discuss afterward
Optionally bookable: From 6pm: Especially for visitors to these lectures: a 3-course menu at the adjacent Brasserie De Vierbannen. Known and acclaimed for its excellent, seasonal menu. See also www.devierbannen.nl
Cost for this option: €25 per meal. To be booked via: info@devierbannen.nl
Special museum offer: the book Watersnood by Kees Slager from € 69 for € 49
Speaker(s)
Ir. Eric-Jan Pleijster, partner and landscape architect LOLA landscape architects
Location
Road of the Foreign Press 5, Ouwerkerk
Organiser
Land Use and Water Management
Name and contact details for information
KIVI NIRIA: Saskia Houwing, saskiahouwing@kiviniria.nl Watersnoodmuseum: telephone number 0111-644382 info@watersnoodmuseum.nl
Register via
info@watersnoodmuseum.nl