Deltas remain habitable,
even in the context of two metres of sea level rise,
land subsidence and climate change

Deltas remain habitable, even in the context of two metres of sea level rise, land subsidence and climate change

The greatest challenge of all time has begun for the Netherlands and deltas worldwide: keeping deltas habitable while the land continues to sink, the sea rises, the weather and discharge regimes become more erratic and we are also faced with a loss of biodiversity.


As a result, deltas are facing complex planning challenges that require an integrated approach to strike a balance between living, working, energy, mobility, nature and agriculture in a changing landscape. Knowledge of water and subsurface systems and understanding of future socio-ecological changes in densely populated delta areas are indispensable for the complex design task that follows.

Read our stories

Water and subsurface as a basis for spatial planning

Understanding delta system response to climate change


Utilizing solution space for climate adaptation

Enhancing urban resilience through water and subsurface sensitive development


Dealing with land subsidence