Settling in to our Dutch schedule we managed to get on the wrong train to TUDelft this morning made a quick switch at Den Haag and lost no time at all. Arriving somewhat late we were met by Oswald, Dirk Sijmons, and Ellen Marcusse at the train station. We had a spectacular tour of the new TUDelft Bouwkunde newly fitted out with everything modern and Vitra.
Maurits de Hoogh, Professor of Urban Design TUD, presented a recent history of spatial planning in the Randstad and Professor of Environmental Design Sybrand Tjallinga talked to us about his experiences teaching ecological urbanism for the past forty years.
Walking to the Deltares headquarters we were delighted by views of Bakema's Aula Congrescentrum and the slopes of Mecanoo's Central Library. Bakema’s influence on S+DR’s media room at the ICA was duly noted.
At Deltares, the Dutch non-profit water management consortium and sponsor of our studio, we met with Frans van de Ven to review hydrology in the polders and robust water planning ideas. Group meetings continued apace as the student project teams met with Delatares specialists to review their work and make final adjustments to their presentations.
Each team presented their mid-term review projects to the Deltares audience and students from Waginen University. Experts were able to ask questions of the groups and generally engage in discussions with us concerning the future of urbanization within the Flevoland polders as impacted by climate change. Henriette Otter of Deltares confirmed our faith in Dutch water management, as the welcoming reception got under way.
Back on our boat we finished another excellent meal prepared by Jantien, our most gracious host aboard the Merlijn. Tomorrow we cruise to Almere Haven for the first time, motoring past IJburg and moving into the Markermeer. Tomorrow: meeting Adrian Geuze for lunch and touring Almere, the Netherland’s newest new town.
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