Longread

Adaptation is in our DNA

September 20, 2019

The flood barrier is closed. The Delta Works are completed. Zeeland is safe. With these words Queen Beatrix opened the Easter Scheldt storm surge barrier (Oosterscheldekering) in 1986. It was the biggest, most expensive and challenging task of the battle of the Dutch against the sea. For many centuries the Dutch have innovated to protect their homes from the storms and incoming floods. The oldest Terp (mound) was built 500 B.C. and the first water board was founded in the 13th century. So, adaptation is not new.