THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORICAL MAPS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR MODERN CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 2020-11-18

The Netherlands are part of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. The majority of the country is low lying and thus prone to flooding. That is the reason why the Netherlands has a long tradition of water management. The National Public Works Agency of road and water management (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water) and the water boards try to create extra space for the rivers and streams, but also try to get rid of too much water as soon as possible. That means that along the rivers all trees and shrubberies have to move to lead the water through. And in smaller streams all remains of watermills, locks and shacks have to be removed for the same purpose. If we look closer to the historical water systems these elements are situated most of the time at the best places in de river or stream. We study the possibilities to re-use that systems and elements for storing water in periods of too much water (flooding)so we can re-use it in dry periods. We make analyses using historical maps to understand the water system and the changes made through the centuries. With this historical knowledge we can find new solutions for current and future problems with water .


Author(s): Vreenegoor, Ellen - Bruijn, Gerda (Cultural Hertitage Agency of the Netherlands)