Polders

New settlement patterns on Polders in the Netherlands

1. Polders
The Netherlands – the most populated
country in Europe

2. •Polder –
–flat lowlying area reclaimed from
the sea / river / marsh
–Protected by dykes
–Drained by canals

3. Netherlands new settlement
1. Planned rural settlement
–Linear
–Agricultural
–Planned farms
2. Planned urban settlement
–Planned towns and villages
•Central towns, villages
surrounding it
•Towns provide goods and
services
•Overspill towns on new polders

5. Case study - North East Polder
•Part of Zuider Zee Scheme
•North East Polder
•Planned town – Emmeloord
–Central
–Meeting point of routes
–Villages circle around the town
–Ring roads + radial roads

6. Case study – Almere (Overspill town)
•Randstad – conurbation (collection
towns/cites in single urban area)
•Rapid pop growth
–Urban sprawl
–Planned overspill towns
–Eg Almere

7. Arguments for/against
Markerward polder
For
•Provide more farming
land
•Build more towns
•Use for woods and
recreation
Against
•Expensive to drain
•No more new farming
land needed now
•Use lake for water
sports and fishing