Design research HWBP

The 2020 project book focuses on the dike in relation to mobility. Dikes and mobility are inextricably linked. A dike is primarily a flood defense; a body of sand, clay, and turf that protects the hinterland from extremely high water. At the same time, almost all dikes also serve as a route for cars, bicycles, pedestrians, or all three. As water safety requirements change, so does traffic on the dike. Mobility is therefore a key issue in every dike improvement project.

In the project book, Flux reflects on the development of mobility in relation to the dike in various ways. Based on data, field visits, and interviews with experts, administrators, and users, the book provides insight into how mobility and dikes have been inextricably linked since the first inhabitants, but that the role of mobility has changed significantly over the years.

The 2021 project book focuses on the dike in relation to circularity. Circularity has become an increasingly important topic within the HWBP in recent years. Like other civil engineering projects, dike reinforcements increasingly need to be executed in a circular manner. Based on design research and interviews, Flux has developed further insights into the broad concept of circularity in several sub-studies and subsequently outlined several stimulating scenarios for a circular dike of the future.

The 2022 project book focuses on the biodiverse dike. Although nature along rivers has received a significant boost in recent decades, biodiversity in our country as a whole continues to decline, and ecosystems are being damaged. This raises the question of how the world of water safety, faced with additional challenges due to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, can become more inclusive of nature and contribute to increasing biodiversity. In the 2022 project book, Flux reflects on the theme of dikes and biodiversity through essays, interviews, and design research.