Drowning Deltas

Drowning Deltas: A strategical spatial approach to soil subsidence in delta regions

Claassen, Teun (TU Delft Architecture and the Built Environment; TU Delft Urbanism)

van Esch, M.M.E. (mentor)
Romein, A. (mentor)
Cuperus, Y.J. (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences

2020-04-16

Delta cities all around the world are under pressure from different forms of climate change effects. Soil subsidence as a result of peat oxidation, and anthropogenic loading of the soil. The soil in many of the heavily urbanised deltas around the world is subsiding faster than the see level is rising as a result of climate change. Few people are however aware of the problems that soil subsidence can cause and the threat that it poses for the cities and their hinterlands, in Delta regions. Soil subsidence has been going on for such a long time that few people seem to realise that it can pose a threat in the nearby future. Delfland is a part of the Dutch delta that has been polderized and it has been subsiding ever since these polders where created. The purpose of this thesis is to research what the spatial and strategical requirements are, to make it possible for Delfland to deal with soil subsidence, and its effects within the region. There is however no certainty about the future impact of soil subsidence or the which actions are required to counter soil subsidence and its effects. The dynamic adaptive policy pathways (DAPP) method is used to deal with this uncertainty. This method has been developed to be able to plan for an unknown future. This is done though the development of dynamic pathways that function as a plan that can change, depending on future developments. This makes it possible to deal with uncertainty within the soil subsidence problem feld, as well as, external uncertainties. For example uncertainties from climate change, economical changes, or political changes. The strategical impact, of dealing with soil subsidence and its effects through the use of DAPP, is reviewed by taking a closer look at how decisions are made within the DAPP method, and how these same decisions could be made on a regional scale for all of Delfland. This requires knowledge of the possible stakeholders and their role and influence within Delfland and in relation to soil subsidence and its effects. The spatial impact, of dealing with soil subsidence and its effects through the use of DAPP, is reviewed by taking a closer look at the pathways that could be chosen when using the DAPP method. Spatial reflections of different pathways, on the Delfland region, offer an insight in the possible spatial outcomes of different pathways and the actions that are taken within these pathways.

Soil subsidence
Dynamic adaptive policy pathways
Adaptive planning
Multidisciplinary approach
scenario based design
Delfland
Peat lands
Urban design
Delta cities
Regional planning and design

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Student theses

master thesis

© 2020 Teun Claassen