Day 12 May 13th

During this day, we visited Dakakker and the Watersnoodmuseum, which both focused on how the Netherlands deals with water and flooding. One photo I took at the museum showed a long list of names of people who died during the 1953 flood, along with short descriptions of their lives. Seeing all the names made the tragedy feel much more real and personal rather than just something we read about.

Throughout the day, we learned about different flood management strategies used in Dutch cities. For example, many areas are built lower on purpose so they can temporarily store excess water until the drainage systems can handle it. This showed how cities are designed to work with water instead of trying to completely block it out. While we were waiting for the bus, we also went bouldering, which was a fun and unexpected way to pass the time. At the Watersnoodmuseum, we learned about the impact of the 1953 flood, how the country rebuilt afterward, and how those events led to stronger flood protection systems like the Delta Works.

What stood out to me the most was how personal the museum felt. Seeing the names and stories of the people who died made it clear how devastating the flood was for families and communities. It wasn’t just about the numbers—it was about real people and their lives.

This day showed me how important water management is in Dutch culture and history. From rooftop farming at Dakakker to flood memorials at the museum, everything connected back to living with water. It also tied into sustainability, especially with urban design and flood control. The Dutch approach shows how cities can be built to adapt to environmental challenges instead of fighting against them.