Publications
Exploring Subsurface Water Conditions in Dutch Canal Dikes During Drought Periods: Insights From Multiyear Monitoring
A novel multiyear study of Dutch canal dikes reveals that non-hydrostatic hydraulic head levels during droughts pose significant risks to dike stability, often overlooked in safety assessments. Analyzing data from 2020 to 2023—including two extreme dry summers—the research highlights the precipitation deficit as the most reliable indicator for subsurface water conditions, outperforming standardized drought metrics like SPEI and SPI. The study also underscores differences between meteorological, soil moisture, and groundwater droughts, offering critical insights into dike recovery mechanisms and failure patterns during dry and wet periods. These findings enhance risk assessments, inspection procedures, and the identification of vulnerable spots in canal dikes, providing a foundation for improving infrastructure resilience.
‘Batavische constantie’
The Dutch Water Defence Lines, exemplified by the 'Batavische constantie' strategy of 1672, demonstrate a pioneering approach to dynamic water management for defense. This study reveals that Amsterdam's city government strategically flooded surrounding polders and reinforced fortifications during the Disaster Year, effectively halting French advances and setting a precedent for future defense lines, including the Stelling van Amsterdam. The research, based on archival analysis, highlights the spatial consequences of these measures, which, while temporary, laid the foundation for long-term defensive strategies. It also underscores the adaptability of water management in response to evolving military threats.
Accuracy of visual inspection of flood defences
Visual inspections of flood defenses, the primary method for prioritizing maintenance, exhibit significant variability in detection accuracy and damage severity classification. A study involving 22 inspectors examining four sections of Dutch Water Defence Lines revealed that the Probability of Detection (PoD) varies substantially by both damage type and inspector, with over half of registered damages misclassified in terms of severity compared to a reference standard. This inconsistency likely stems from complex inspection guidelines and task definitions, potentially leading to incorrect maintenance measures and increased flood risk. The study recommends simplifying inspection protocols and focusing on the most critical damage types to improve accuracy and risk-based asset management.
Flood risk reduction by parallel flood defences – Case-study of a coastal multifunctional flood protection zone
A coastal double-dike system, featuring parallel flood defenses with a culvert for tidal exchange, offers negligible improvement in flood protection compared to a single dike when the seaward dike is tall. The study, focusing on the Double Dike between Eemshaven and Delfzijl (Netherlands), quantifies hydraulic loads like overtopping, overflow, erosion, and discharge through the culvert during storms. While such systems aim to enable multifunctional land-uses in the inter-dike zone—such as aquaculture or salt marsh restoration—their primary benefit lies in supporting these activities rather than enhancing flood risk reduction. The research provides a framework for assessing double-dike safety, emphasizing that the landward dike must be sufficiently high to retain water during culvert non-closure events to achieve any meaningful flood protection.
Urbanisation of former city fortifications in The Netherlands between 1805 and 2013
The Dutch Water Defence Lines have undergone significant transformations from their original military purpose to modern urban and ecological functions. This study identifies three key phases in the evolution of these fortifications: construction (from castles to defense lines), dismantling and urbanization (1805–1951), and current spatial character and revitalization. The research reveals that revitalization strategies vary, ranging from full reconstruction to narrative approaches, with implications for heritage preservation, water management, ecology, and urban identity. By analyzing these mechanisms of transformation, the study provides actionable insights for city planners and landscape architects to strengthen historic inner cities and enhance urban identity. The findings underscore the importance of adaptive heritage approaches in balancing historical integrity with contemporary needs.
Gereanimeerd erfgoed: Nationaal project Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie als format voor het landschapsbeleid
A national project revitalizing the Dutch Water Defence Lines (Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie) demonstrates how integrated landscape policy can balance heritage preservation, ecological management, and regional development. This initiative successfully merged cultural heritage conservation with landscape protection, tourism, and water policy, offering a model for managing large-scale historical landscapes. The project's approach, rooted in identifying historically based boundaries and artifacts, provides a framework for future landscape strategies that address the complex interplay of conservation, utilization, and adaptation. By synthesizing multiple policy domains—including monument preservation, nature conservation, and recreation—the project showcases an innovative method for addressing the challenges of modern landscape management.
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