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LAND. IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, CREATE IT. THE CASE OF IJBURG, AMSTERDAM
Author(s) -
Steenbergen J. J. M.,
Van Bemmelen R. J.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
irrigation and drainage
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1531-0361
pISSN - 1531-0353
DOI - 10.1002/ird.666
Subject(s) - land reclamation , subsoil , silt , civil engineering , dumping , groundwater , environmental planning , environmental science , levee , water resource management , environmental engineering , environmental protection , engineering , geography , business , cartography , geology , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , soil science , soil water , international trade , paleontology
Ever since Amsterdam was founded, a key characteristic was the lack of space. Amsterdam is located in‐between water bodies and bogs. If the people of Amsterdam needed habitable land, they had to create it themselves. In 1996 the municipality decided to embark on a new land reclamation project, a group of islands called IJburg. Several major issues had to be overcome. The project site has extremely weak subsoil. In order to create a stable island, the ‘pancake’ method was used. An inventive solution to prevent silt from dispersing using silt curtains is currently being tested for application during the construction of IJburg phase II. IJburg was designed with a system of internal waterways to manage the groundwater levels of the islands. IJburg also has a system of sluices, dykes and embankments in order to protect IJburg from the IJmeer and rising sea levels. Environmental aspects are very important. IJburg is located next to a severely polluted former dumping ground for chemical waste, which had to be rehabilitated. Furthermore, several nature development projects (man‐made mussel beds and dams to create sheltered waters) are being realized. Upon completion, IJburg will offer housing for approximately 45 000 inhabitants and jobs for 12 000 people. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.