Water and soil as the basis for development

Within the framework of the National Strategy and Intergovernmental Implementation Agenda 2024-2025 for Water and Soil Guiding, the CRa organized a number of regional sessions for complex areas facing many challenges. One of these study areas is the Wieringermeerpolder. This region was chosen due to the interesting and complex interplay of history and landscape development, significance for food supply, large-scale developments and demands from industry, energy and data.

Smartland conducted design-based research into possible future perspectives for the Wieringermeerpolder. This led to the publication ‘Regional Sessions Water and Soil as a Basis - Wieringermeerpolder’ (2025). Within the framework of MooiNL, this study was used as a basis for a further exploration of the issues and possible perspectives for the Wieringermeerpolder.

Smartland did an in-depth exploration here into the themes of water and green, as drivers for future development. We outlined an optimisation of the water system:

• Clean fresh water for agriculture;

• Water level management in selected water level compartments and/or elevated water supply systems to increase the freshwater volume in the system;

• Water level management and water collection in freshwater seepage areas to supply clean fresh water;

• Reserving storage areas adjacent to built-up areas;

• Realising multifunctional landscape elements to reinforce the polder character;

• Nature-inclusive dike reinforcement with a foreshore zone.

The green structure can be optimised by strengthening the green-blue framework and the polder character. The new water structures and seepage areas provide space for new wet nature. New village and stepping-stone woodlands and densified farm ribbons connect with the old land and surround industrial areas.