The Netherlands' Economy
Living Below Sea Level
How the Dutch manage water with dikes, polders and the Delta Works built after the 1953 flood, and how they now export water expertise.
The Dutch have long fought the sea.
Polders
Land reclaimed from water, kept dry by dikes and pumps (once windmills).
1953 flood
A North Sea flood killed about 1,800 people.
Delta Works
A huge system of dams and storm surge barriers built after 1953, completed in 1997.
Water boards
Water boards, among the oldest democratic institutions, manage water locally and levy their own taxes.
Room for the River
A programme giving rivers space to flood safely.
Exporting expertise
Dutch firms advise cities worldwide, including in India, on flood management.
The Maeslantkering near Rotterdam closes automatically when storm surges threaten.
The Dutch also give rivers room.
- Polders are reclaimed land.
- The 1953 flood led to the Delta Works.
- Water boards levy their own taxes.
- The Dutch export flood expertise.
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