The current approach in riverine climate adaptation strategies aims to accommodate all functionalities of rivers into one singular riverbed, but runs into the limitations of an integrated spatial system. The research shows that the different functionalities of rivers, i.e. the different riverine regimes, in synchronization will lead to a decline in performance of these separate regimes.

This thesis project Perspectives on the IJssel explores and illustrates an alternative future for the IJssel, in which an integral approach is paramount but with a methodology build on spatial decomposition rather than spatial integration. The project argues that integrative design through spatial segregation in parallel systems offers a widening of solution space within an integral approach.

The province of South-Holland is located in a delta, where the Netherlands have been changing the landscape for centuries to keep out the water and create the productive, highly urbanised and well connected landscape it is now. Due to climate change, the water system brings about an increasing pressure in both the rivers as well as the sea. In addition, economic and demographic growth pressure the agricultural production system and urban system. Instead of reclaiming land from sea and rivers, this report aims to find a a collaboration between the three sectors. It will enable the people of South-Holland to work together with the water and create a more balanced landscape.

To create this balanced landscape, this project researches the possibility of protecting the province of South-Holland from climate change while producing sufficient food and keeping the region livable. Three systems (water, agriculture and urbanisation) are analysed on both their individual system as well as the synergies between them. Using these three systems, a vision and strategy are formed for South-Holland in 2100, where the landscape is transformed into a water based productive landscape in which the synergies between the three elements are key. This landscape ensures the realisation of three goals: 1. Productivity by creating dense agricultural hubs, 2. Safety from the water for the whole province, and 3. Livability for the people by creating healthy and desirable densifying urban systems. A toolkit of six intervention typologies is created with a focus on innovation in water, agriculture and/ or urbanisation while keeping a liveable environment. By implementing the interventions on the synergies between systems they create the balanced landscape. This landscape results in the need for a healthier and local diet for the inhabitants and the creation of new green and blue infrastructure will increase liveability. Additionally the food economy of the region will be more efficient and resilient.