BEYOND THE DIKES
HOW THE DUTCH WORK WITH WATER (2017)

Marinke Steenhuis and Paul Meurs (ed.)

with contributions from: Marinke Steenhuis, Paul Meurs and Annet Kampinga

photography: Tineke Dijkstra, Siebe Swart

design: Beukers Scholma

publisher: nai010 publishers, Rotterdam

commissioned by: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Jentse Hoekstra and Cees Poot)

also published in Dutch

There are few countries in the world where water determines the landscape and the national identity to such an extent as in the Netherlands. The vulnerable delta is forever on the drawing board in order to be adapted to the threat of the water. Currently, climate change is the reason for a next round of interventions. In that context, the classic battle against the water has changed into an approach using the water. For the very first time, the size of the Dutch water project and its results in the coastal and river landscape are visible. ’Beyond the Dikes. How the Dutch work with water’ illustrates this impressive operation. This book shows thirty interventions along the rivers and the coast – projects in which hydraulic engineering, cultural heritage, nature and human usage are gathered in unparalleled water landscapes that entice one to embark on a personal expedition.