Social Importance

Living beside the water Many cities in Europe, often with very old city centres, owe their present day prosperity and charm to their location on the banks of rivers, mostly of large rivers, where they were originally sited. There the items of cultural interest, the climate of life and the busy hustle and bustle all together form a unique symbiosis, which is an irreplaceable component of Western civilisation.

It is then of dire necessity that adequate steps are taken to limit the consequences of any large-scale flooding. The Dutchdam is an ideal instrument for this purpose. It is even possible to provide protection for subterranean complexes in our large cities, such as a metro, shopping centres, underground car parks or tunnels. When such vital parts of the infrastructure are provided with a Dutchdam, swift action can be taken to avoid catastrophe.

A flood defence for "impossible" places

The threat When floods come to vital places there is a threat to persons, animals and society at large.                                                                                  The consequences are serious: economic damage; harm to or complete loss of cultural and historical objects; interference with the infrastructure; lasting damage to the environment; considerable nuisance and uncertainty. This will bring discredit to all the affected villages and towns on the banks of rivers, and results in reduced investment in the regions concerned.

The application There are some villages and cities where it is just not possible to have dikes or to raise the height of a dike.                                                                                              Here Dutchdam means more there than just a flood defence. In comparison with the barrage method used up till now Dutchdam is cost-effective and safe because of its simplicity and direct availability. The Dutchdam will thus allow confidence in the threatened area to be strengthened and also it will benefit the environment greatly.