Adapting the Polder-Boezem System to Climate Change: Designing Inner-boezem Landscapes and Revitalizing the Polder-boezem System in the Dutch Lowlands

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58981/8wwgmc98

Published

2026-08-08

Issue

Water & Heritage for Sustainable Development

Section

methodologies and case studies

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Inge Bobbink

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Bobbink, I. (2026). Adapting the Polder-Boezem System to Climate Change: Designing Inner-boezem Landscapes and Revitalizing the Polder-boezem System in the Dutch Lowlands . Blue Papers. https://doi.org/10.58981/8wwgmc98

Keywords:

polder-boezem system, inner-boezem, drainage and irrigation, water retention, new farming

Abstract

This paper proposes a systemic re-evaluation of the Dutch polder-boezem system through the introduction of inner-boezem landscapes: newly designed, large-scale green-blue infrastructural areas enclosed by dikes that provide additional water storage capacity and enhance ecology as part of the existing polder-boezem system. Just as important, beyond their hydrological and ecological functions, inner-boezem landscapes are conceived as multifunctional cultural spaces that reconnect communities with the dynamics of water management. By integrating utility, ecology and experience, these landscapes aim to revitalize the cultural heritage of the polder landscape, transforming it from a symbol of control and defense into one of coexistence, adaptability and shared stewardship.

Author Biography

  • Inge Bobbink, Delft University of Technology

    Inge Bobbink is since 2007 an Associate Professor in the Section of Landscape Architecture in the Department of Urbanism at the Technical University Delft at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment in the Netherlands. She holds a post-master’s degree from the Berlage Institute and a PhD with the title De Landschpsarchitectuur van het Polder-boezemsystem. In cooperation with others, she developed and coordinated, from the start of 2010 until 2022, the educational program for the master track of Landscape Architecture. She teaches and supervises master’s and PhD students, lectures internationally, coordinates the graduate studio and other courses, is part of the education management team and participates in diverse advisory boards. Her research focuses on identifying landscape architectonic and sustainable values in (traditional) water systems worldwide. She published several books and articles. For more information please check: https://circularwaterstories.org or https://www.tudelft.nl/en/staff/i.bobbink/.

References

Bobbink, Inge. 2016. De Landschapsarchitectuur van het Polder-Boezemsysteem: Structuur en vorm van waterstelsel, waterpatroon en waterwerk in het Nederlandse laagland [The landscape architecture of the polder-boezem system: Structure and form of water system, water pattern and water work in the Dutch lowlands]. A+BE | Architecture and the Built Environment 6 (15): 1–356. https://doi.org/10.7480/abe.2016.15.1401.

Bobbink, Inge, and Michiel Pouderoijen. 2017. “De ruggengraat van het laagland: De boezem als schakel in de cultuurhistorische samenhang van het veengebied” [The backbone of the lowland: The boezem as a link in the cultural-historical coherence of the peat area]. Bulletin KNOB 116, no. 3: 123–38. https://doi.org/10.7480/knob.116.2017.3.1849.

Hooimeijer, Fransje, Han Meyer and Arjan Nienhuis, eds. 2005. Atlas of Dutch Water Cities. Amsterdam: SUN.

Steenbergen, C. M., W. Reh, S. Nijhuis and M. T. Pouderoijen. 2009. The Polder Atlas of the Netherlands: Pantheon of the Lowlands. Bussum: Uitgeverij THOTH.

Ven, G. P. van de, ed. 2003. Leefbaar laagland: Geschiedenis van de waterbeheersing en landaanwinning in Nederland [Habitable lowland: History of water management and land reclamation in the Netherlands]. 5th rev. ed. Utrecht: Matrijs.