Finite landscape

The Dutch water culture is known throughout the world. It resulted in a unique man made landscape however, an irreversible natural process is happening at present. Dewatering of peatland for agricultural purposes from the 12th century onwards resulted in subsidence and the emission of C02. Now, hundreds of years later the land is located under sea level, an advanced and costly water system is needed to facilitate agriculture, while agricultural revenues are decreasing. Finite landscape overturns the current engineering culture and puts an end to subsidence and C02 emission. It takes the natural process as a starting point for a future proof strategy.

Instead of a more complex and costly water system with hundreds of water levels, this study shows that simplifying and just one water level result in vital prospects. Existing height differences become conditions for new crops which are more tolerant to wetter conditions, take in C02 and give a boost to the economic downward spiral the farmers are in. Testing of the water level related to new and existing crops resulted in a plan with three zones with each a slightly different character. Characters which blend with the existing monotone landscape and add a broad range of unique recreational opportunities to the metropolitan landscape and individual farmers. The project is the first showing the landscape architectural qualities of stopping land subsidence and decreasing the emission of C02. It is proven to be a new chapter in the ongoing political debate.