The Netherlands, with its intricate history of battling water, faces a pivotal moment as rising sea levels challenge traditional water defenses. This research navigates the intricate landscape of water management, focusing on the vulnerable region of Hoedekenskerke in Zeeland. The central thesis proposes adopting the Living with Water strategy posed by Deltares, urging a paradigm shift towards a symbiotic relationship with nature. The study employs a funneling methodology, ranging from a regional risk analysis to a nuanced exploration of the spatial relationships between the hinterland and water infrastructure. Through a detailed examination of dike failure probabilities and consequences on an urban scale, Hoedekenskerke emerges as a key focal point for urgent adaptation. Beyond their structural function, dikes are revealed as multifaceted elements, representing landscape features, cultural heritage, and symbols of trust. The research concludes with a call to embrace a more adaptive and mindful coexistence with water. And to work towards a future where the Netherlands can chart a resilient course—one that relocates its vulnerable hinterland to the higher ground that the waterworks provide while honoring the intricate legacy of hydraulic engineering that defines its identity.

The paper examines the relationship between the public transport network and urban diversity in Amsterdam using urban mapping and data analysis. The paper presents a hierarchical analysis of the urban diversity outcome, which is based on the computation of the average diversity scores for each geographical area. The Simpson index is used to measure urban diversity combined with the Urban Network Analysis Toolbox to isolate geographical areas. The diversity is ranked using the number of amenities per function, with the index ranging from zero to one, where higher values indicate greater diversity. The areas exhibiting the highest degree of urban diversity are those located within two-hundred meters of the Noord-Zuidlijn, followed by those situated within a similar distance from metro line 51. The third category is comprised of areas located within a two-hundred-meter radius of the tram stops, while the least diverse areas are the ones lying between the metro and tram network. The study concludes that the causal relationship between the tram and metro network and urban diversity cannot be definitively established based on the findings of this research. Nonetheless, the present study confirms the existence of a correlation between the two.