A sectoral flood safety approach has been the critical condition for Delta Urbanization in the Netherlands until now. But does this have to be the case for future urbanization as well? In the Dutch approach to flood safety, a dilemma appears to exist between (sectoral) flood safety on the one hand and biodiversity and flood resilience on the other. Where pursuit of flood safety, especially in a context of extreme climate scenario’s, might continue at the cost of biodiversity and resilience.

The thesis is on the reconciliation of the anthropogenic and natural systems of the Dutch Delta. It proposes a re-positioning of the relationship between peopel and nature. The concept and understanding of landscape identity is an expression of this relationship. In the case of the Dutch delta, landscape and flood safety are inevitably intertwined, and a certain relationship of human mastery over nature becomes apparent of this intertwining. The Dutch landscape is historically shaped through hydrology, geology, air and climate, however, contemporary landscapes represent severe anthropogenic intervening, enclosing and directing the dynamics of hydrology, geology, air and climate.
This thesis aims to understand the relationship between people and nature, through landscape Identity, the mutual relationship between people and landscape, shaped by and shaping landscape characteristics and individual and collective identity. Subsequently, proposing and testing a method for altering this relationship, based on the following hypothesis: Shifting the technocratic understanding of flood safety to align [again] with the trajectories of hydrology, geology, air and climate, which are both fundamentally shaping the landscape, allows the transition towards a biodiverse and flood resilient delta. Rethinking the relationship between people and nature, through landscape, is therefore essential. The concept of Building with Nature is tested as an approach to align the understanding of flood safety with the dynamics of air, water and soil. Proposing this re-alignment as the new critical condition for delta urbanization in transition towards a biodiverse and resilient delta. Ultimately, proving this apparent dilemma between flood safety on the one hand and biodiversity and resilience on the other, to be void.

Economy and technological innovation have always shaped the Dutch landscape and society. The evolution of the Internet has led to a new economy based on digital information and communication. New production, consumption and business models are mushrooming, especially in the Province of South-Holland. This fast development is facilitated by the massive exploitation of construction materials, energy and data flows. The data sector has a high energy demand, which is even surpassing the CO2-emission of the aviation and shipping industry. The flows that support the sector are linear, consuming a lot of energy and producing a lot of waste, because construction materials and infrastructures have a short life-span. The Province of South-Holland aims to be circular in 2050. Thus, addressing the challenges that this new economy poses on the region need to be prioritized. The strategic and integrated development of the digital economy into the (urban) fabric of South-Holland functions as a catalyst for the circular Province. The goal will be reached by proposing a strategy consisting of a spatial development framework, stakeholder action plan, phasing and scenarios, policy guidelines and a typology toolbox. This strategic report explores how a connected and resilient datascape in South-Holland can be created/developed while preserving the global value and increasing the local value. For the strategic and integrated development of the digital economy into the (urban) fabric of South-Holland, data hubs as a platform for awareness, participation and knowledge exchange are proposed. These platforms will either function as a creator or a transformer of the local environment, while preserving the global position of the region. The development of these datascapes is circular, (energy-) efficient and creates value throughout the different scales. This will form the base of a sustainable and resilient circular economy in the Province. In this strategy, the flows of construction materials, energy and data are optimized from linear flows to circular cycles.