Publications
A UAV–3DGS–VR Workflow for Scenario-Comparable Immersive Review in Heritage Landscapes
A novel, low-cost UAV-based workflow enables immersive comparison of alternative construction scenarios in heritage landscapes. By integrating multi-angle UAV imagery with 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) and Unity-based virtual reality (VR), researchers reconstructed the Beemster Polder World Heritage site with high visual fidelity, as validated by PSNR and SSIM metrics. Behavioral data from eye-tracking and head-motion analysis further supported the subjective ranking of scenarios, revealing that one alternative (M1) was perceived as more compatible than others in this pilot study. This approach bridges reality capture, immersive scenario review, and behavioral evidence, offering a reusable framework for heritage landscape assessments.
Luctor et Emergo : territorial sovereignty as contested paradigm in the United Provinces
This study challenges the traditional static relationship between territory and sovereignty, revealing that sovereignty in the Dutch Republic was dynamic and fluid. It argues that the notion of territorial sovereignty, which emerged during the revolt against Spain, does not align with the sociopolitical framework of the newly established Republic. The research examines key events such as the Union of Utrecht, the Act of Abjuration, and the drainage of Lake Beemster, alongside celebratory depictions like the Siege of Leiden, to support this argument. By analyzing these moments, the study offers a nuanced understanding of how sovereignty was practiced and contested in Dutch history.
When to stop? A visual impact assessment framework for incremental urban and community expansion in rural heritage landscapes
A new Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) framework provides a transparent, replicable method to determine acceptable thresholds for incremental urban and community expansion in rural heritage landscapes. Applied to the Beemster Polder, the framework integrates point cloud-enhanced GIS analysis, multi-temporal Key Observation Point (KOP) data from Street View Imagery (SVI), and 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) visualizations to quantify cumulative landscape change. Public acceptability, gathered through questionnaires and expert interviews supported by VR eye-tracking, informs decision-making alongside spatial character metrics and visibility diagnostics. The framework offers case-calibrated reference bands for review, ensuring heritage-sensitive development while supporting stage-comparable assessments in similar rural-urban fringes.
Disentangling subsidence
Subsidence, a significant global issue, is accelerating faster than sea-level rise in many regions, exacerbating climate and societal challenges. This study reveals that human activities, such as urban development, groundwater extraction, and oil/gas/salt mining, are the primary drivers of subsidence, particularly in coastal areas like the Netherlands and Northern Italy. The research introduces a holistic modeling approach using satellite imagery to quantify the contributions of various processes—such as clay shrinkage, organic matter oxidation, and compaction—to total subsidence. Applied across multiple Dutch sites (e.g., Beemster Polder, Almere) and Ravenna’s coastline, this method improves mitigation strategies by disentangling complex subsurface dynamics, highlighting the need for integrated solutions to address both natural and human-induced subsidence.
Disentangling Subsidence from Shallow Soil Processes and Gas Extraction in a Dutch UNESCO World Heritage Polder with InSAR and Data Assimilation
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Beemster Polder, exhibits complex subsidence patterns driven by both shallow soil processes and deep gas extraction. Research reveals that areas with thick surficial peat layers experience over 5 mm/year of subsidence due to shrinkage and oxidation, while deeper clay beds also contribute significantly. Gas extraction is projected to add up to 30 mm of subsidence between 2020-2050. The study used InSAR data and data assimilation techniques to quantify these contributions, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding and mitigating subsidence in vulnerable coastal regions.
The Principle of Automatic Control in Ancient Hydraulic Engineering Works: A Comparative Study of the Dutch Beemster Polder and China's Dujiangyan Irrigation System
A comparative analysis of the Beemster Polder and China's Dujiangyan Irrigation System reveals two distinct yet universal control paradigms in ancient hydraulic engineering. The study identifies a 'natural guidance type' system in Dujiangyan, which leverages terrain reshaping to activate natural forces for self-sustaining water and sediment balance, reflecting Oriental philosophical principles. Conversely, the Beemster Polder employs a 'mechanical intervention type' system, utilizing a hierarchical canal network and windmill-driven mechanisms to dynamically regulate hydrological fluctuations, embodying Heraclitus' concept of flux. This research demonstrates that both systems, despite their differences, share a universal control logic applicable to modern ecological engineering.
Baroque in the Netherlands as style and design approach
Baroque design principles, once dominant in European garden and park aesthetics, can be effectively applied to modern landscape architecture. This study demonstrates that the 17th-century Dutch approach to polder making—embodied by UNESCO World Heritage Site Droogmakerij de Beemster—incorporates elements of baroque design, such as structured planning and functional symmetry. By analyzing historical precedents like 'Het Loo' and contemporary restoration practices, the research identifies transferable principles that bridge Baroque style with modern conservation efforts. These findings suggest that Baroque-inspired design can inform sustainable regional planning, offering a balance between heritage preservation and adaptive reuse in today's 'culture of mobility.'
Isotopic reconstruction of short to absent breastfeeding in a 19th century rural Dutch community
Most infants in 19th-century Beemster, a rural Dutch dairy farming community, were not breastfed or were breastfed for only brief periods. This finding challenges the assumption that breastfeeding was the norm in pre-modern Europe. Stable nitrogen and carbon isotope analysis of bone collagen from 277 individuals revealed that cow's milk and paps with sugar were primary infant foods, often introduced within weeks to months of age. Despite factors typically associated with high breastfeeding rates—such as a Protestant environment and dairy farming—Beemster's mothers likely prioritized labor demands, including dairy production, over prolonged breastfeeding. The study highlights the influence of community values, traditions, and workload on infant feeding practices.
Levende cultuurlandschappen als Werelderfgoed
This study highlights the evolving approach to managing 'living' or 'continuing' cultural landscapes as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, emphasizing the shift from protection towards 'management of change.' It argues that such landscapes should be viewed through concepts like layeredness and path dependency rather than focusing solely on material authenticity. The research uses five case studies—Dresden, the rice terraces of the Cordilleras, the Beemster polder, the Altes Land near Hamburg, and the Dutch/Belgian Colonies of Benevolence—to illustrate these challenges. By involving landscape architects and adopting cautious yet quality-driven changes, the study proposes a framework for sustainable management of these landscapes.
Micro‐CT assessment of dental mineralization defects indicative of vitamin D deficiency in two 17th–19th century Dutch communities
A groundbreaking study reveals that vitamin D deficiency was not only prevalent but also recurrent and seasonal among 17th–19th century Dutch communities, with some episodes occurring annually. Using microscopic computed tomography (micro-CT) to assess interglobular dentine (IGD) in teeth, researchers found that 65.5% of individuals exhibited signs of vitamin D deficiency, while a significant portion experienced multiple deficient periods. Notably, IGD was detected in the dentine formed around birth in three individuals, suggesting maternal vitamin D deficiency. This non-destructive method provides valuable insights into the influence of sociocultural practices and latitude on disease development within age and sex groups in past communities.
The Role of Infant Feeding and Childhood Diet in Vitamin D Deficiency in a Nineteenth-Century Rural Dutch Community
A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, evidenced by rickets, was unexpectedly found in non-adults (<18 years) from the 19th-century rural Dutch community of Beemster Polder, despite ample sunlight exposure. Stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotope analyses revealed that infants and children with rickets consumed significantly less eggs and fish compared to those without, suggesting dietary factors played a crucial role. Early weaning onto unpasteurized cow’s milk, sometimes at very young ages, likely exacerbated vitamin D deficiency by impairing its absorption and limiting sunlight exposure. This effect was not observed in juveniles, adolescents, or adults with residual rickets, indicating that infant and childhood diet were critical etiological agents. The study highlights the importance of stable isotope analysis in understanding past population morbidity and provides insights into disease etiology.
A pleasing view: Landscape and composition in the design of Holland's country estates
Seventeenth-century Dutch Republic witnessed a surge in the popularity of country estates, known as 'buitenplaatsen,' among affluent citizens. These substantial residences, often clustered together, were strategically located along waterways and reclamation areas such as the Beemster Polder, Vecht, and Amstel River, significantly shaping Holland's landscape during that era. The study reveals how this widespread fashion influenced the design and distribution of country estates, with notable concentrations around Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, and beyond. By analyzing historical waterboard maps and geographical data, the research provides insights into the spatial organization and aesthetic composition of these estates, contributing to our understanding of Dutch landscape architecture during this period.
Bureauonderzoek naar de archeologische waarde van het plangebied Fort Nekkerweg te Middenbeemster, gemeente Beemster
A bureau-level assessment determined the minimal archeological preservation efforts required for groundwork associated with proposed development plans at Fort Nekkerweg, Middenbeemster, a site within the UNESCO-listed Beemster Polder. The study evaluated potential impacts on cultural heritage, ensuring compliance with monument care standards. Conducted as a dataset (Version 1.0) and published in 2017, the research provides actionable guidelines for future urban development while safeguarding archeological integrity. This work is part of a broader effort to balance modern infrastructure needs with the preservation of historically significant landscapes.
Bureauonderzoek naar de archeologische waarde van het plangebied Middenweg 148 te Middenbeemster, gemeente Beemster
A bureau-level assessment determined the minimal archaeological preservation efforts required for groundwork associated with planned development at Middenweg 148, Beemster Polder. The study evaluated the site's potential to harbor significant archaeological features, ensuring compliance with heritage conservation standards. By analyzing historical records and conducting a preliminary survey, researchers established baseline requirements for excavation and monitoring to protect any buried cultural remains. This approach balances development needs with the preservation of the Beemster Polder's unique archaeological landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its 17th-century polder engineering innovations.
Bureauonderzoek naar de archeologische waarde van het plangebied Zuiddijk 6 te Zuidoostbeemster, gemeente Beemster
A bureau-level archaeological assessment of the planned redevelopment at Zuiddijk 6, Beemster Polder, revealed no significant archeological constraints despite the presence of remnants from a former estate or manor house beneath the site. The proposed construction, including a concrete floor, was deemed unlikely to disrupt notable archeological features beyond the threshold set by local policy guidelines. This conclusion was reached through a targeted evaluation that assessed potential impacts on subsurface structures without requiring extensive excavation. The study underscores the importance of pre-development assessments in balancing preservation needs with development goals in culturally rich landscapes.
Bureauonderzoek Oosterhuizerweg 70 te Noordbeemster, gemeente Beemster (NH)
A bureau study conducted for the Beemster Polder concludes that further archaeological research is unnecessary before the demolition of a residential building at Oosterhuizerweg 70 in Noordbeemster. The assessment found that while the property partially overlaps with zones of historical significance—including a former mill site and molengang (milling path)—the likelihood of uncovering preserved remnants, such as kadens (dikes) or mill structures, is minimal due to recent agricultural development and urbanization in the area. The study, led by MUG Ingenieursbureau on behalf of the Beemster municipality, advises against additional excavations based on the building's size and location outside key historical zones. However, it emphasizes that any accidental discoveries during demolition must be reported under legal obligations. This recommendation aligns with the municipality’s decision-making process regarding archaeological heritage preservation in the region.
THREE / Capitalism and Cartography in Amsterdam
Published maps of Amsterdam during its Golden Age not only documented the city's economic expansion but also reflected and reinforced contemporary humanist ideals about property, governance, and civic duty. A key focus on the Beemster Polder project reveals how these maps visually established Amsterdam as a global emporium while embedding capitalist principles into the cultural and legal fabric of the young Dutch nation. The study argues that cartography during this period was instrumental in shaping perceptions of land ownership, industry, and the relationship between citizens and the state, all of which were driven by capitalist expansionism.
Activity Reconstruction of Post‐Medieval Dutch Rural Villagers from Upper Limb Osteoarthritis and Entheseal Changes
A study of 19th-century Dutch rural villagers from the Beemster Polder reveals that while most engaged in high levels of physical activity, no clear distinction was found between manual laborers and a potential wealthier class with less strenuous work. Gendered differences were observed in muscle attachments: males showed more pronounced biceps brachii, linked to lifting, while females exhibited stronger triceps brachii, possibly from activities requiring flexed-elbow pushing or pulling. However, osteoarthritis prevalence did not differ between sexes, complicating direct comparisons due to hormonal and anatomical factors. The study also found a low correlation between osteoarthritis and entheseal changes as activity markers, suggesting complex and variable etiologies that require further research for more reliable activity reconstruction.
Rural Rickets: Vitamin D Deficiency in a Post‐Medieval Farming Community from the Netherlands
A high prevalence of rickets, typically associated with urban environments, was identified in a 17th-century rural farming community in the Netherlands, challenging the notion that such conditions were limited to industrialized cities. The study examined 95 individuals aged from 32 weeks in utero to 15 years from the Middenbeemster cemetery, using ten diagnostic features for rickets. Nine individuals (9.5%) exhibited evidence of the condition, with the highest age-specific prevalence (30.4%) observed in two and three-year-olds. Cultural practices such as prolonged swaddling, occlusive clothing, and indoor confinement, along with dietary factors including poor weaning foods and malnutrition, are suggested to have contributed to this unexpected outbreak. The findings underscore the impact of maladaptive cultural behaviors on public health, even in populations seemingly at low risk due to abundant sunlight.
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