De Peel 2050

If it's possible anywhere, it's here, in De Peel.

Over time, De Peel has been transformed from a rugged peat landscape into a hyper-efficient production landscape. We have adapted the water and soil to our needs, with the primary goals of increasing yield and profit. However, this has had a negative impact on soil life, water storage capacity and the natural wealth of the area.
With the De Peel in 2050 development perspective, we are reversing this trend and setting the course for a future-proof landscape. We are building on both the local soil conditions and the identity and character of De Peel. This will result in a more attractive, productive and biodiverse landscape that is resilient for the future. By 2050, this will be a rigorous and radical transformation of De Peel as we know it today. However, people in the area are not afraid of a large-scale approach; De Peel has been shaped by countless human hands over the centuries. The character that has emerged from this is therefore: If it can be done anywhere, it can be done here, in De Peel.

Project details

Location
Den Haag
Year
2023
Status
Completed
Commissioned by
Provincies Noord-Brabant en Limburg, Ministerie van BZK, waterschappen en 18 gemeenten
In collaboration with
Haskoning

The natural system in the lead

To make the soil and water system robust and healthy, we look at how the original natural system worked, such as soil suitability and groundwater levels before large-scale interventions. Around 1850, for example, there was more variation in the groundwater level in De Peel. Groundwater levels were lower and varied greatly in height. The higher-lying horst was wetter and the lower flanks were drier. Rainwater that fell on the horst infiltrated and was pushed up at the slenken, giving the horst a high groundwater level, which meant that periods of drought were less frequent.

By designing the Peelhorst as a single integrated water system, the natural balance is restored through a higher groundwater level. The starting point here is to retain rainwater in the subsoil during wetter periods. This (rain)water buffer protects the Peel fens from extreme weather and ensures that less water from outside the area, from the Meuse, is needed during periods of drought. This buffer also serves as a water supply for the production lands to the north. Groundwater flows from the horst to the stream valley are restored and the floodplains along the Peelrand fault become larger and more visible.

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Long-term climate-resilient land use

Future land use will be adapted to the new groundwater levels and soil types. This will create a diverse landscape with nature-inclusive forms of food cultivation and space for new revenue models such as the cultivation of biobased raw materials. De Peel will change from a monofunctional to a multicoloured landscape.

The Peel fens will become valuable ecological stepping stones between the Kempen and the Meuse. Raising the groundwater level will create wet areas and wet plots. Wet nature will be central here, with the aim of protecting the raised bog nature from extreme weather and nitrogen deposition. There is room for land-based agriculture with wet crops that can cope with a higher groundwater level, such as cattail, sphagnum moss, duckweed, cranberries, reeds, willows or wild rice. In addition to protecting the Peel fens and reducing CO2 emissions, wet crops can also contribute to better biodiversity, water purification and other ecosystem services.

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De Peel as a breeding ground for the biobased economy

The inevitable transformation of the current livestock feed-producing Peel landscape offers opportunities to introduce new crops on a large scale. De Peel will play an important role in the transition to a circular economy and can respond to the growing demand for green raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry (Radboud University), the chemical industry (Chemelot) or the biobased manufacturing industry, and can benefit from its position between the Brainport and Greenport knowledge clusters. This offers a perspective that fits in with the character of De Peel and fulfils the abstract goals of the national government and provinces with regard to the circular economy.