THE ZUYDER ZEE PROJECT

1. Introduction

2. The physical conditions of the Netherlands

3. A short history of land reclamation in the Netherlands

4. General outline of the Zuyder Zee project

5. Reclamation and temporary farming by the government

6. Water Management

7. Almere, a polynuclear town

8. Construction of a polder dyke

the Lely plan of 1891

R.G.T. StavermanRijkswaterstaatLelystad

updated: September 2014

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1. INTRODUCTIONIn this paper the Zuyder Zee Project will be described. First of all a brief outline of thephysical conditions of the Netherlands will be given. In chapter 3, the history of landreclamation in the Netherlands is given in order to understand why the Dutchgovernment decided to carry out such a large long-lasting project such as the ZuyderZee Project. Chapter 4 describes in more detail the reclamation and temporaryfarming of the new polders.

An outline is given of how the land reclamation works of the Zuyder Zee Project havebeen organized. Large land reclamation works such as the Zuyder Zee Projectrequire proper research, planning and long term financing. For more than seventyyears now the government of the Netherlands has supported the project throughproject organizations within the Ministry of Transport Public Works and WaterManagement (nowadays: the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment).

The Zuyder Zee Project

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2. THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NETHERLANDS

a. Geography/ Geology/ GeomorphologyThe Netherlands is situated in the delta of the rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt.Therefore deposit layers of some hundreds of meters were formed and still constitutethe foundation of the country. The name Netherlands clearly represents the nature ofthe area: low land. "Holland" as the Netherlands is also called, refers to the westernpart of the country. Holland is a name which characterizes this part of the country,namely "hollow" land.

Map of the Netherlands(source: google earth)

The Netherlands is a flat country, the only hills and valleys existing are largely theresult of ice formation during the ice age. During the Pleistocene the country wascovered by an ice layer of about 200 meters. During the Holocene temperatures rose.The sea level which had been about 100 m below the present level, rose. Vegetationcovered the entire country. As a result of the rising sea level, the water table in theneighboring countries also rose. Under these conditions much peat soil was formed.Many of the peat soils were finally submerged by the sea.

The sea deposited marine sediments. This process however, showed muchfluctuation. Gradually a coastal barrier in the form of sand dunes was formed in thewestern part of the Netherlands (most of it still is the present coastline). This haltedthe marine influence as well as the formation of old marine clay. On top of the marinedeposits peat was formed over a long period after 2000 B.C.

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In some places rivers bordered by fluvial deposits passed through the area. In thenorthern part marine influence remained. On the inner side of a barrier of sandyislands a tidal flat area continued to exist, whereas on the landward side tidal salineand brackish marshes wedged out in the bordering peat lands.

The south-western part changed much in appearance since the Roman period. Here,the sea gradually eroded and submerged the peat land, so that between 1000 and1300 A.D. the area could be sketched as a collection of islands (consisting of youngmarine clay-on-peat and young marine soils) separated by tidal inlets.In the same period the north-west also changed much in appearance by the erosionof peat land by the attack of the sea.

By the year 1000 A.D. our ancestors started to influence their environment bybuilding dykes and sluices and by digging canals and ditches. Until then people livedon the relatively higher grounds and on the banks of rivers, in the dune areas, and onartificial mounds in the tidal marsh area.

Over the centuries the Dutch have struggled against the sea, and they reclaimed landwhich was once covered by water as can be seen in de figures below. Nowadaysabout 40% of the country is below sea level.

Safety standards per dike ring area the vulnerability of the Netherlands for flooding

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Changing coastlines of the Netherlands:

year 0 Year 1300

Around the Roman period (50 B.C.-300 A.D.) the former Zuyder Zee region consistedof a complex of lakes, which the Romans called Lake Flevo. "Flevo" comes from thelatin word "Fluvius" which means river. The incoming waters from the river IJsselfound a narrow outlet to the North Sea. On the bottom of this fresh water lake detrituswas formed. This is a mixture consisting of the remains of water plants and erodedpeatDuring the Middle Ages this outlet widened. The former Lake Flevo became thebrackish Almere. At first the deposits on the bottom mainly consisted of eroded peatfragments. Later (1000 - 1200 A.D.) more sand washed into the area. The connectionwith the North Sea which had become wider made it possible for the IJssel to form adelta.

year 1880 year 1980Zuyder Zee (sea) IJsselmeer (lake)

At about 1600 A.D. the river IJssel lost its importance. Diminishing fresh watersupplies promoted the influx of sea water. The Almere became saline and was nowcalled "the Zuyder Zee". Depositing continued, but now with a supply of marineshells. During the Almere and Zuyder Zee stages Pleistocene sands were eroded inthe eastern parts and re-deposited somewhat further north.

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General soil map of the former Zuyder Zee area.

Depth of the former Zuyder Zee area (between 0- 5 meters)

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b. ClimateThe Netherlands is situated between latitude 51° and 54° North, and has therefore atemperate maritime climate, characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Theannual rainfall (about 750 mm) is evenly distributed over the year.

The figure shows that during the summer months evaporation is higher than rainfall.However, in the autumn, winter and early spring periods of rainfall largely exceedsevaporation.

Annual rainfall and evaporation

Annual Precipitation: 750 mm

Total Evaporation: 500 mm/ yr

Surplus: 250 mm

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3. A SHORT HISTORY OF LAND RECLAMATION IN THE NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Atpresent approximately 16.5 million people live in an area of approximately 37,000km². As said before the Dutch started to influence their natural environment when thesea level rose. Dykes were built and pumping stations were constructed. Initially thiswas done on a small scale by monks or by the inhabitants of villages.

In the beginning people built artificial mounds on which they could retreat during highincoming floods. Later on primitive dykes were constructed linking the variousmounds. By this way the first polders were constructed. Apart from building dykes,means were found of channeling the surplus water through a network of ditches andcanals to sluices. However, the sluices could only open at low tide to discharge thewater. So only areas higher than the lowest level of the sea could be drained.Through the establishment of the water control boards more elaborated means ofdefending the land against the water became possible. Waterboards were, in fact, thefirst democratically elected organizations in the Netherlands. The inhabitants ofpolder areas realized that the maintenance of the dykes was just as important as theconstruction of water defences. Up till the Middle Ages people more and moresucceeded in protecting themselves against flooding and even small areas werereclaimed from the sea, which thus remained dry. Nevertheless, a great deal of landwas lost again.

Windmills operating in a row

The development of the windmill as a pumping instrument in the 16th century made itpossible to move water from a lower to a higher level.Using this technique it also became possible to drain land below sea level and tokeep the land permanently dry.During the 17th century, the so called "Golden Age", large peat lakes in the north ofHolland were drained. Polders were created of up to 7,000 ha with soil highly suitedto agriculture, sometimes lying more than 3 m. below sea level. The required capitalto finance this reclamation of land was provided by rich merchants, who were lookingfor a suitable investment.

With the steam-engine replacing the windmill in the 19th century, reclamation in theNetherlands reached a new stage. Profit was no longer the prime consideration, as inthe Golden Age, but safety became paramount. So it was not surprising that privateentrepreneurs showed little interest and that the government became the landreclaimer. The largest project during that time was the reclamation of theHaarlemmermeer in 1840, an area of 18,500 ha. However, after the construction ofthe ring dyke and canals, and pumping the area dry, little more was done by the Statethan the implementation of a land allotment plan. This consisted of a sub-division of

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land into agriculture plots of 200 by 1000 m., arranged in blocks of 2 by 2 km, andbordered by roads. After drainage, the land was quickly sold to private holders, andfurther development was left to the inhabitants of the area. This turned out to be adisaster for the first inhabitants. The first landowners did not have the right knowledgeand did not have enough sources to treat the newly reclaimed soil carefully to getproper soil ripening. Yields were very poor and as a result many of the early settlerswent bankrupt or left the Haarlemmermeer Polder, destitute and disillusioned.

The Haarlemmermeer Polder project: 18,500 ha’s(nowadays the Amsterdam International airport “Schiphol” is located in this area)

As land reclamation was undertaken on a still larger scale, it gradually became clearthat the central government should actively participate in the land reclamationprojects. Not only in the main infrastructure, but also in the development of the newlyreclaimed land. This was done to safeguard a proper socio-economic developmentfor the new area. To avoid the unfortunate situation experienced in theHaarlemmermeer Polder, the State had to become more involved in land reclamation.

The Zuyder Zee area was an inland sea and was therefore State-owned water. It wasneither included in the provincial- nor in the municipal borders. There were no localinhabitants. The area was not the responsibility of the Water Control Board.The realization of the project demanded high investments and asked for properresearch, especially as regards the soil maturation process. All financial risks anduncertainties in the initial years were therefore borne by the State, thus relieving the(private) farmers particularly of this burden.In 1918 it was decided that the Zuyder Zee Project should be carried out financed bythe State.

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4. GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE ZUYDER ZEE PROJECTIn the early 20th century different plans were proposed for the reclamation of theZuyder Zee. At the beginning of this century the Zuyder Zee was in open connectionwith the sea and penetrated almost into the heart of the country. It was not very deep,hardly any deeper than 5 m., but it was vast, and in stormy weather it posed a dangerto the low-lying land around it.Of this large estuary of about 400,000 ha at least 200,000 ha could be reclaimed.Because of the scale and the kind of problems, it was a tremendous challenge. Theprobably decisive factor was a storm flood in 1916 which played havoc with theZuyder Zee area. Another factor was that during the first World War the Dutch peoplehad become painfully aware of the extent to which they were dependent on foreigncountries for their supplies of food; there was a strong feeling that more should beproduced at home. More agricultural land was therefore needed.

The Lely plan was based on the following objectives:

a. Shortening the coastlineA major part of the proposal of Dr. Lely, was a barrier dam, which shortened thecoastline from 300 km to about 32 km. It increased both the safety of the areassurrounding the former Zuyder Zee and the heart of the Netherlands. It alsodecreased the maintenance costs of the dykes. When the barrier dam wascompleted, it only took a few years for the former Zuyder Zee to turn from salty, tidalwater into fresh water with a consistent level. The area is now called IJsselmeer(Lake IJssel).

b. Land reclamationReclamation of a vast area of extremely fertile, flat and well drainable land wasneeded to increase the area of land used for agriculture. From the 400,000 ha of theformer Zuyder Zee area, it was decided that about 200,000 ha would be reclaimed.Up till now a total of 165,000 ha. have been reclaimed in the former Zuyder Zee area.

They are the following polders:

- Pilot polder near Andijk, 42 ha (1927);- Wieringermeerpolder, 20,000 ha (1927 - 1930);- Northeast Polder, 48,000 ha (1937 - 1942);- Eastern Flevoland, 54,000 ha (1950 - 1957);- Southern Flevoland, 43,000 ha (1959 - 1968).

(the dates in brackets represent the years of dyke construction)

c. Improved water controlBy transforming the tidal sea into a fresh water lake with a controlled water level,water management problems in the surrounding parts of the Netherlands could besolved. First of all the problem of salinity: especially the low land between the NorthSea and the Zuyder Zee was submitted to an increasing influence of saline groundwater. A large fresh water reservoir would provide a new equilibrium as well as apossibility to flush canals and ditches. Also the drainage of some of the surroundingprovinces improved when the tidal movement of the water ended. Nowadays, there isa fresh water reservoir. Drinking water companies in the province of North Hollandtoday, use water from the IJsselmeer to purify for drinking water.d. Improvement of communicationsThe Zuyder Zee was a barrier in the communications between the western and

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northern part of the country. The barrier dam as well as the new polders wouldimprove this situation substantially.

Land Usage of the Polders:

Size(hectares)

in % of total surface area

Agriculture Housing Nature InfrastructureWieringermeer 20.000 87 1 3 9NorthEastpolder 48.000 87 1 5 7East Flevoland 54.000 75 8 11 6South Flevoland 43.000 50 25 18 7

Project OrganizationThe Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management became responsiblefor the Zuyder Zee Project. The former IJsselmeerpolders Development Authority(RIJP) was responsible for the landuse planning and development of the new land.The Zuyder Sea Works (ZZW) Department of Rijkswaterstaat constructed the dykes,pumping stations and main infrastructure. In 1988 both organizations merged to formthe Directorate Flevoland of Rijkswaterstaat.In 2010 the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management merged withthe Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and the Environment into the Ministry ofInfrastructure and the Environment.With the completion of the last polder of the Zuyder Zee project: Southern Flevoland,the development tasks have been ended in the year 1997.

Plan for the Markerwaard

The Markerwaard is the name of apolder in the IJsselmeer that was neverbuilt. Markerwaard Polder, named afterthe island of Marken. The Markerwaardwould have had an area of 41.000 ha's.In the 1980s, the project was reviseddown leaving bordering lakes betweenthe polder and North Holland. Markenwould remain a peninsula, unlike on theoriginal project.

The debate on the decision took morethan a decade. The questions concernedthe need for other agricultural areas inthis region and the need for newsubdivisions. The ecology and value ofthe lake as a recreation area wereconsidered stronger than the potentialbenefits of the polder. Doubts about theprofitability have weighed heavy.In 2003, after long discussions, it wasdecided not to build this polder.

Local Government in the new landDronten became a municipality as from 1972. The city of Lelystad became amunicipality as from 1980 onwards. Almere and Zeewolde as from 1984. The

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province of Flevoland was established in1986.

Town hall of Lelystad

The enclosure dam (Afsluitdijk) separating the IJsselmeer from the Wadden Sea

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5. RECLAMATION AND TEMPORARY FARMING BY THE GOVERNMENT

The newly created polders have been projected in the area were the best (mostly theclay type) soils could be found.From the Haarlemmermeer we learned that more research into reclamationtechniques was necessary. Before large polders of 20,000 - 54,000 ha. were to beconstructed, a pilot polder of 42 ha. was needed to carry out research programmes,especially into soil maturation and drainage. The data of the 42 ha. pilot polder nearAndijk was later implemented in the next polder: the Wieringermeerpolder.

The creation of a polder begins with the construction of an enclosure dyke around thearea of water to be drained, followed by the construction of the main channel and thepumping stations. When the dyke is closed it will take approximately 8 to 9 months ofcontinuous pumping before 4,5 m. of water have been removed.A polder is considered dry when theoretically all the land has emerged, but at thisstage the area is still a mud flat with pools of water everywhere, and it is totallyinaccessible.

The first footsteps in the new land

In the IJsselmeer polders we mainly find a top layer of 1 to 8 m. of Holocenesediments resting on Pleistocene sand of a few hundred meters. The Holocene layeris mostly clayey (approx. 10 - 40% clay) while the organic matter content increasesfrom approx. 5% in the top layer to approx. 15% at a depth of 2 m. The clay fraction iscomposed of approx. 60% illite, 20% smectite and 20% kaolite.Sediments which have only recently been reclaimed have a relatively high porevolume which is completely filled with water. Therefore, before the land can be used,the surface moisture has to be removed as much as possible. Some moisture isremoved by direct evaporation from the soil surface. From research conducted in

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1863 we know that under Dutch climatic conditions, sub-aqueous sediments, rich inclay and or organic matter undergo considerable changes after reclamation. The soilwhich is found straight after emergence is practically impermeable, making drainageimpossible. As soon as the top layers dry out, shrinkage cracks appear which allowthe air to penetrate the soil. The cracks are caused by the irreversible decrease of thewater content. This increases soil permeability and bearing capacity, but it isaccompanied by soil subsidence. After 80 to 100 years the soil surface will be in totalabout 1.20 m. lower as compared with the level of the area straight after it has beenpumped dry.

The de-watering process of these soils is known as "ripening" or "maturation".Ripening can be sub-divided into a physical, chemical and biological part. Thephysical part of the process can be seen as the motor of all the changes. The rainfalland evaporation characteristics are represented on page 7.Owing to the relatively even distribution of the precipitation over the year, the intenseactual evaporation during summer and the low actual evaporation during winter, thereis a rainfall deficit in the summer months totaling 120 mm under average conditions,and a surplus of rainfall in the winter totaling an average of 300 mm. Due to the deficitin the summer there is evaporation and therefore ripening of the new soil.

Reeds sown by airplane burning of reeds

To accelerate the drying process, reeds (Phragmitis australis) are sown aerially(preferably during the months of April and May) in the inaccessible areas, straightafter the surface water has been pumped out. The reeds extract moisture from thesoil and suppress the growth of other vegetation. The absence of air in the soilmeans that the only plants able to grow, are pioneer species which are able totransport oxygen to the roots via the plant itself. Reeds and marsh fleawort (Seneciotubicaulis) are examples of such plants. In addition, reeds roots and leaves add to thebearing capacity of the soil. The advantages of reeds vegetation were discoveredduring the development work in the second polder of the Zuyder Zee project, theNortheast polder. In the Northeast polder reeds were once considered a threatbecause it was feared that once there, they would be there forever. They weretherefore controlled. But it was later discovered that the areas were the reeds werenot removed the soil proved to mature much quicker. During the reclamation of thenext polders (Eastern- and Southern Flevoland) reeds were sown first. After someyears of reeds growth they are eventually replaced by a first crop. The reeds arekilled off by aerial spraying with herbicides (dalapon). This is carried out in August.The following spring they are burned to clear the massive vegetation.

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Construction of open furrow drainage, used during the first years

When the upper layers of the soil are sufficiently dried out and are able to bear theweight of machinery, the first stages of the drainage network can be started. Furrows(open drains) are dug across the plots at 12 m. intervals. This is done to drain thesuperfluous water into the ditches and it is carried out in spring. The soil is thenreasonably accessible to tractors and other types of equipment. The sub-soil doesnot yet let any access water through. At this stage in the first few years, the excessrainwater is drained from the surface and only goes through the upper layer of thesoil to run into the ditches and canals. Once the soil has matured deep enough, PVCdrainage pipes are installed at a depth of approx. one meter and at a distance of 48m. This sub-surface drainage system in combination with the already formed crackswill effectively drain the excess rainwater.During the first five to six years, only crops which assist in soil maturation are grown.Therefore mainly cereals and rape seed are grown in the new polder. High volumeand labor intensive products such as potatoes and sugar beets, are out of thequestion during this maturation period.

The first crop to be sown is rape seed (Brassica napus) which flourishes well on wetsoils. At this stage the soil has (beside a large range of other important plant growingelements) a rather high nitrogen content. Rape seed (or: colza) suppresses anyreeds growth. Colza can compete successfully with the left overs of the sprayed andburned reeds. The crop is low in volume, and it dies off quickly. Moreover the harvestof rape seed is not a bulky product. It is sown at the time of year when the land is wellaccessible to heavy tractors and other equipment. It develops a very deeppenetrating rooting system which has a very good effect on the maturation of the sub-soil. Harvesting is carried out in July which is also a period suitable for using relativelyheavy harvest equipment, so no real bad effects will occur on the structure of the soil.Rape seed gives the polder a beautiful yellow color when flowering in spring.

After the rape has been harvested, the soil is somewhat mature. Crops like winterwheat and barley will then be planted. Also crops such as oats, flax, peas, differenttypes of beans can be planted after rape seed. Large areas in the new polder havebeen and are still being developed in this way. In this manner the government

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became the largest farmer of Western Europe. At any one time the DirectorateFlevoland (through its predecessor the IJsselmeer Polders Development Authority)had over 20,000 ha. under cultivation. The large scale government farm used tocover up to approx. 16,000 ha (around the year 1980).

Large scale Agriculture on the temporary Government farm

The main cropping pattern of the State farm has been standardized into: rape seed,winter wheat, barley and then again rape seed, winter wheat, barley. Crops likepotatoes and sugar beets are not grown during the maturation period. Although theyare more profitable, they have to be lifted from the land during the rather wet autumnmonths. The risk to cause bad effects on the structure of the soil is just too high.

The land is considered suitable for commercial farming and allocation to farmers.This usually is after a period of about five to six years, but largely depends on thehydrological conditions of the soil, and other factors, such as crop yields, soilimprovement measures required and the occurrence of weeds. A scientific divisioncollects all the necessary data and advises on the quality of the soil. Based on thisdata, a plan for the settlement of farmers and/or other land uses such as forestry canbe made.

Map of the State farm in the year 1982

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State farm in the year 1987

State farm in the year 1992

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planting of forests

Installing sub surface drainage

The development of the new polder is carried out in areas of 3,000 to 4,000 ha.(7,500 to 10,000 acres) per year, depending on the rate at which the polder isdeveloped. For a polder like Eastern Flevoland 3,600 ha of reeds were cleared everyyear. It took therefore 15 years before the last piece of reed land was developed.In the last polder, Southern Flevoland, most of the development work has beencompleted in 1997.All farmland is then either sold or leased to farmers. By 1997 the afforestationprogramme is also completed. The remainder is the area set aside for thedevelopment of the new town Almere and/or the village of Zeewolde. Some hundredsof hectares in Eastern Flevoland around the town of Lelystad are now farmed in anecological way.

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6. WATER MANAGEMENT

The water management system inside a Dutch polder consists in principle of some orall of the following items:

_ sluice(s);_ windmill(s), or pumping-station(s);_ canals;_ main ditch(es);_ ditch(es);_ open, or closed field drains.

Schematic overview of the water management system in a polder

Polders have to be protected by dikes against the water from outside. The excess(rain and seepage) water needs to be pumped out by the pumping stations (see:schedule of the annual water balance in the IJsselmeerpolders on page 20).Especially in the initial period of the project the main item was: how to provide thenew polders as soon as possible with an adequate drainage system. In theIJsselmeerpolders the main drainage system (canals) is dredged under water. Thepumping stations are constructed in a building pit and work about 9 months beforethe land emerges. Dredgers cut the big main ditches and draglines working on planksdig the smallest main ditches and the ditches surrounding the plots.

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The annual water balance in the IJsselmeerpolders:

Precipitation: 750 mm; Evaporation: 500 mm; Seepage: 330 mm /yr.

The pumping stations in Flevoland:

Details of the pumping stations in Eastern and Southern Flevoland:

Name: Power Number of pumps: Total capacity incubic meters/ min.

1. De Blocq van Kuffeler electric 4 3100

3. Wortman diesel 4 20002.Colijn electric 3 15804. Lovink electric 3 1160

Total: 13 7840

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Some characteristic data on the main water management system:

Wieringermeerpolder

North East Polder Eastern +SouthernFlevoland

Total area (ha) 20.000 48.000 97.000Average seepage(mm/day) 0,7 – 1,2 0,9 1,0

Number of sections 3 2 2Number ofpumping stations 2 3 4

Open waterstorage (%) 1,8 1,0 1,2

Pumping capacity(mm/day) 14,7 14,0 11,7

Soil subsidence

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7. ALMERE, A POLYNUCLEAR TOWN

Almere's functionAs early as 1958 the south-western corner of Flevoland was earmarked to absorb theoverspill from the west of the country and more specifically the northern part of theurban agglomeration, i.e. Amsterdam and the Gooi. It was planned to resettle half amillion people by 1980, a process that was to continue in the following decades. Theoption chosen was "grouped deconcentration", meaning concentration in a limitednumber of medium-sized towns rather than distribution among a large number ofsmall residential nuclei. The Second Report on Town and Country Planning publishedin 1966 estimated the population of the Netherlands at the end of this century at 21million, half to one million of whom would be living in Flevoland and the Markerwaard.During the planning of the south-east town (now called Almere) it became obviousthat allowance should be made for considerable uncertainty over the rate of growthand the final population figure since developments in the polder largely depended ondemographic and regional developments in the old land. The plans were thereforebased on a wide population range of between 125,000 and 250,000.

This made special demands on the town plan to be drawn up by the IJsselmeerPolders Development Authority and resulted in a polynuclear design in which thevarious residential nuclei differ in size and function. Work can then begin on one ormore nuclei depending on the rate of population growth. This polynuclear conceptwith its extensive green belts is also intended as an alternative to small nuclei in ruralareas, or "suburbanization".

The town planThe town plan was based on the polynuclear concept, which provided for a collectionof residential nuclei varying in size and function and each surrounded by a green belt(Figure 57). This polynuclear approach has prevented excessive concentration andproduced a wide variety of residential environments, with open spaces andrecreational facilities close to residential areas.

separate bus lane in Almere

Another important feature is the system of roads reserved for buses, linking theresidential districts, central amenities and the stations on the Amsterdam to Lelystadrailway line. Separate facilities have been provided for pedestrians and cyclists inmany places, enabling them to proceed for considerable distances without cominginto contact with motorized traffic. For the latter a system of urban motorways hasbeen built, linked to both the network of national highways and the main roads to and

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from the various residential nuclei. Spurs from these roads give access to theindustrial estates, shopping centers and residential districts.

Almere consists of the following city parts: Almere Buiten, Almere Haven, AlmerePoort, Almere Stad.Work on the construction of the first residential nucleus, Almere-Haven, on theGooimeer between the Hollandse Bridge and the Stichtse Bridge, began in 1975. Theconstruction of dwellings began in 1975, and the first inhabitants arrived in 1976.

The Structure plan of Almere 1980

The structure plan for the second residential nucleus, Almere-Stad, in the middle ofthe Almere area, covers 2,500 ha with room for 100,000 to 110,000 people,depending on the density of building and the number of persons per dwelling.Housing construction in Almere-Stad began in 1979, and the first inhabitants arrivedin 1980.Like Almere-Stad, the third residential nucleus, Almere-Buiten, straddles the railwayand is surrounded by urban motorways. The plan covers an area of 1,500 ha withroom for about 50,000 people. The area includes a network of green zones forming alink to the "outside world". The roads and green zones generally follow the linesoriginally drawn when the agricultural land was divided into plots. Almere-Buiten's

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location near the large De Vaart industrial estate is an important factor.

The basic premise of the polynuclear concept, that each residential nucleus shouldhave its own function, size and shape, is clearly revealed by a comparison of thestructure plans for Almere-Haven and Almere-Buiten. The construction of housing inAlmere-Buiten began in 1983, and the first people moved in early 1984.

Almere Hout and Almere Poort are under development. A decision on AlmerePampus and Almere Oost will be taken in the next years.

Structure plan of Almere 2010

More Information:

- The Pocket Guide to the Zuyder Zee Project by R.H.A. van Duin and G. de Kaste (200pages) ISBN: 90-6914-012-8.

- Getting to the bottom of Flevoland, Provence of Flevoland, December 2002, ISBN: 90-807712-2-8.

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8. CONSTRUCTION OF A POLDER DYKE

More information on Dyke building in the Netherlands:

- The Dutch and their dikes / M. Dendermonde and H.A.M.C Dibbits. – Published by:'Bezige Bij', Amsterdam,1956. - 173 pages.