Midden-Delfland: The Metropolitan Park towards 2070

Abstract

Midden-Delfland is located in Zuid-Holland and bordered by cities like Delft, Den Haag, Vlaardingen, Schiedam and Rotterdam. The area consists of an open, peat-meadow landscape dominated by livestock farming. Over the past 50 years, this landscape has transformed into a densely urbanized and fragmented part of the Southern Randstad, reducing available space to mitigate the effects of climate change. The KNMI climate scenarios predict a temperature increase of 4.9°C and a sea-level rise of 2.5 meters by 2100. Located at the end of a river delta and mostly below sea level, Zuid-Holland is increasingly vulnerable to flooding as extreme weather events become more frequent. Additionally, infrastructure like the A4 highway and railway cross the landscape from north to south, creating a fragmented landscape. In light of these concerns, a strategic plan is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change, with Midden-Delfland emerging as a location of interest. Beside the need to create more green buffer zones, the importance of connecting urban areas with rural areas becomes clear. The municipality of Midden-Delfland describes its role as an outdoor green area for the 2.3 million inhabitants of the metropolitan region of Rotterdam-The Hague. This recreational demand places considerable pressure on Midden-Delfland. In 2017, this region was designated the title as a ‘Bijzonder Provinciaal Landschap’ highlighting its cultural heritage and distinctive provincial landscape. However, this designation is not legally binding and serves more as a qualitative label. The design titled ‘the Metropolitan Park’ aims to emphasize the area's significance for surrounding urban areas, guided by three main themes: ecology, agriculture, and recreation.

In addition to its agricultural function, Midden-Delfland also has a strong ecological character, consisting of a multitude of ecologically rich habitats, including peat bogs, wetlands, meadow bird zones, and forests. Currently, the agricultural sector plays a significant role in conserving the ecological character, with numerous farmers participating in the management of their land for the meadow birds populations. Despite this contribution, the agricultural sector still negatively impacts the environment. Farmers strictly control the water level for their agricultural practices. Low water levels dry out the peat soil, which in turn causes the peat to oxidize and emit CO2. This oxidation leads to subsidence, making the land increasingly vulnerable to floodings and droughts. Furthermore, pesticide and fertilizer use results in eutrophication, water pollution, and nitrogen emissions, harming the natural environment.

This thesis proposes a new vision, accompanied by a development strategy for the future of the ‘Bijzonder Provinciaal Landschap’. The research is divided into two sections: a design section and a governance-oriented section. The maximization method is used to investigate each theme, with the aim of identifying optimal solutions. In order to develop an integrated vision for the year 2070, spatial conflicts are addressed. The research will also address the development of policy, the identification of stakeholders, and the outlining of strategic steps. Eventually, this thesis provides insights for municipalities such as Delft, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Midden-Delfland itself, encouraging the formation of integrative alliances and the pursuit of sustainable trajectories.