Sea to Land: The Dutch Water Manscape Excursion

Sea to Land: The Dutch Water Manscape Excursion

The excursion starts 8.30 and we will be back in Groningen at 19.00. 

The Netherlands is world-famous for the ongoing ‘war’ with water. Currently, at least 60% of the population lives below sea level. Your stay in the Netherlands is not complete without experiencing the ways the Dutch people have protected themselves against the ‘Big Wet Enemy’ and have converted sea into land. Walk on the bottom of the former sea!

What is a dike? What are sleeping dikes? Why does the Zuyder Sea no longer exist? Why did the Dutch build cities at the bottom of the sea? Is it safe there?

What are those cute little man-made “hills” in Friesland for? Who made them? When? How can 60% of the population live below sea level? By the way, who are those daredevils residing 4 to 5 metres below sea level? What will be the consequences of climate change for the Netherlands? 

These and many other questions are the narrative of an excursion, offered to you by Chris Diederiks and Reinier Schoep (tour guides, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen). The excursion focuses on old, new and future ways of protection against (rising) sea levels and (rising) river water levels, as well as the creation of new land (land reclamation) – transforming water into land. We will visit the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Flevoland.

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