Hans Renes
Utrecht University, Human Geography and Planning, Department Member
Het Midden-Nederlandse rivierenland, waarvan het Kromme Rijngebied een uitloper vormt, is het belangrijkste fruitteeltgebied van Nederland (de tweede en derde plaats worden ingenomen door Zuid-Limburg en de Zak van Zuid-Beveland). In deze... more
Het Midden-Nederlandse rivierenland, waarvan het Kromme Rijngebied een uitloper vormt, is het belangrijkste fruitteeltgebied van Nederland (de tweede en derde plaats worden ingenomen door Zuid-Limburg en de Zak van Zuid-Beveland). In deze bijdrage kijken we naar de ontwikkeling van de fruitteelt van een kleinschalige naar een beeldbepalende activiteit, waarbij we laten zien dat het een mooi voorbeeld is van de ontwikkeling van een specialistische vorm van landbouw.
Research Interests:
In het landgoederenlandschap van Langbroek nemen bossen een belangrijke plaats in. De bossen werden lange tijd geëxploiteerd als hakhout, waarbij de cyclus naar gelang de vraag varieerde. Sinds het midden van de vorige eeuw zijn de meest... more
In het landgoederenlandschap van Langbroek nemen bossen een belangrijke plaats in. De bossen werden lange tijd geëxploiteerd als hakhout, waarbij de cyclus naar gelang de vraag varieerde. Sinds het midden van de vorige eeuw zijn de meest hakhoutbossen omgezet in opgaand bos. Foto Albert Speelman Klimaatverandering is een van de grote thema's van onze tijd. De stijgende zeespiegel bedreigt lage gebieden op de wereld zelfs in hun voortbestaan. Dat geldt ook voor delen van Nederland. Zelfs als we erin slagen de zee buiten te houden, hebben de veran deringen grote gevolgen voor het landschap. Ook voor landgoederen zal het thema in de komende jaren steeds meer aan belang winnen.
The map of Juinen by Arthur Steegh. In 1984, the historical-geographer Arthur Steegh (1946-2005) drew a fictive map that included most landscape types of the Netherlands. The map could be used to simulate the effects of planning... more
The map of Juinen by Arthur Steegh. In 1984, the historical-geographer Arthur Steegh (1946-2005) drew a fictive map that included most landscape types of the Netherlands. The map could be used to simulate the effects of planning procedures on landscapes and was part of a report on the use of landscape data in Environmental Impact Assessments. Steegh situated his map in the municipality of Juinen, which was the – again fictive – location for a popular satirical programme on Dutch television.
Asperen, an agro-town on the Linge river The small-town of Asperen is the best example in the Netherlands of a medieval town that used to be almost completely agrarian. The pre-urban core consisted of farms along two roads (the Voorstraat... more
Asperen, an agro-town on the Linge river The small-town of Asperen is the best example in the Netherlands of a medieval town that used to be almost completely agrarian. The pre-urban core consisted of farms along two roads (the Voorstraat and the Minstraat) on both sides of the river Linge. During the Early Middle Ages, the river made a new bend, providing a triangular area that, shortly before 1314, was used for the layout of an ambitious new town by
one of the branches of the aspiring Van Arkel family. A new street with farms was laid out, the Achterstraat (backstreet), parallel to the older village streets. Back alleys, the Achterwal and the Broeksteeg, connected the backsides of the farms with the lands. Later, the Broeksteeg (nowadays known as the Middelweg, middle road) attracted ever more non-agrarian houses
one of the branches of the aspiring Van Arkel family. A new street with farms was laid out, the Achterstraat (backstreet), parallel to the older village streets. Back alleys, the Achterwal and the Broeksteeg, connected the backsides of the farms with the lands. Later, the Broeksteeg (nowadays known as the Middelweg, middle road) attracted ever more non-agrarian houses
Village centres in medieval fenland reclamations. Between the 10th and 14th centuries, the large fenlands in the Netherlands were reclaimed. Particularly in the flat eutrophic fenlands, these reclamations were extremely regular, with a... more
Village centres in medieval fenland reclamations. Between the 10th and 14th centuries, the large fenlands in the Netherlands were reclaimed. Particularly in the flat eutrophic fenlands, these reclamations were extremely regular, with a row of farms that each received a standard-sized amount of land. In some of the new villages that were planned to become parishes, a village centre with a rectangular green was planned. The present article is the first systematic review of this group of green villages.
A new series: village structures. Village structures have been a research theme in geography for a long time. In recent decades, historical geographers and an increasing number of historians and archaeologists have taken up this theme.... more
A new series: village structures. Village structures have been a research theme in geography for a long time. In recent decades, historical geographers and an increasing number of historians and archaeologists have taken up this theme. For real progress, interdisciplinary cooperation is necessary. To stimulate further research, the Tijdschrift voor Historische Geografie starts a series of short articles on (groups of) villages.
3e ed. van het boek. De 1e ed. van het boek verscheen in 2004 onder de titel ‘Europa: ruimtelijke samenhang en verscheidenheid in de Europese Unie’.
The ‘geesten’ in Holland. Present state of knowledge with respect to the old agricultural complexes on the coastal ridges (‘strandwallen’) of the provinces of North and South Holland It is almost 50 years now since Dr J.K. de Cock... more
The ‘geesten’ in Holland. Present state of knowledge with respect to the old agricultural complexes on the coastal ridges (‘strandwallen’) of the provinces of North and South Holland
It is almost 50 years now since Dr J.K. de Cock (1918-1991) published his dissertation on the historical geography of Kennemerland. This book still counts as a standard work on the history of the settlements in of the coastal region of Holland. De Cock described settlements comprising a loose group of farms around an oval open field – a shape that was derived from the shape of elongated ‘geests’, ridges of the so-called old dunes. This work is still the basis for studies on settlement morphology. Small settlements of non-agrarian parts of the population developed around churches and chapels.
During recent decades, archaeological research has made clear that this type of settlement may date back to the High Middle Ages, but differs from an earlierpattern of settlement of a more scattered and dynamic character.
This article, based on a symposium in 2013, summarizes the present state of knowledge. It includes a new map of ‘geest’ settlements. A short biography of Dr De Cock is added as well.
It is almost 50 years now since Dr J.K. de Cock (1918-1991) published his dissertation on the historical geography of Kennemerland. This book still counts as a standard work on the history of the settlements in of the coastal region of Holland. De Cock described settlements comprising a loose group of farms around an oval open field – a shape that was derived from the shape of elongated ‘geests’, ridges of the so-called old dunes. This work is still the basis for studies on settlement morphology. Small settlements of non-agrarian parts of the population developed around churches and chapels.
During recent decades, archaeological research has made clear that this type of settlement may date back to the High Middle Ages, but differs from an earlierpattern of settlement of a more scattered and dynamic character.
This article, based on a symposium in 2013, summarizes the present state of knowledge. It includes a new map of ‘geest’ settlements. A short biography of Dr De Cock is added as well.
Vouwblad met routebeschrijving van Wageningen naar De Wildenborch, samengesteld voor het vijfjarig bestaan van het DLO-Staring Centrum in 1994
Historical transformations of agricultural landscapes in Europe. The agricultural landscapes of Europe vary greatly and are the result of complex historical processes. More insight into these histories is necessary in the light of... more
Historical transformations of agricultural landscapes in Europe. The agricultural landscapes of Europe vary greatly and are the result of complex historical processes. More insight into these histories is necessary in the light of forthcoming landscape transformations and increasing awareness of landscape values by the general public. Dangers are [1] the simplistic and historically inaccurate distinction between heritage landscapes and modernised landscapes and [2] the fragmentation of European historic landscape studies into numerous local case studies. The author of the present article argues in favour of a systematic approach, in which local case studies are integrated by classifying them in models on the basis of demographic and economic tides, stages in economic integration and Von Thünen-like geographical patterns.
"The Dutch fenlands: future for a historic landscape. The fenlands belong to the most characteristic of Dutch landscapes. They are part of the Delta of Rhine and Meuse, a complex landscape with interesting man-land relations. Since the... more
"The Dutch fenlands: future for a historic landscape. The fenlands belong to the most characteristic of Dutch landscapes. They are part of the Delta of Rhine and Meuse, a complex landscape with interesting man-land relations. Since the Iron Age, the fenlands have been inhabited in times of population pressure, but have also been deserted a number of times. During the late Middle Ages, problems connected with (man-induced) subsidence of the land almost caused a new period of desertions.. However, the towns that had sprung up in the centuries before, now were dependent on the continuous functioning of the agrarian landscape. They invested, but also became a market for dairy farming and other agricultural products.
In the present period, agriculture is again under pressure, but the landscape values can only be retained by continuous agricultural use. As a cultural landscape, the fenlands are interesting in a national and even international perspective, as centers of historic innovations in land reclamation and drainage and as the basis for systems of military defenses that even have World Heritage status. The Green Heart, the central open space within the Randstad ring of towns that consists mainly of fenlands, has been a key concept in Dutch planning between the 1950s and 2011. Nevertheless, the future of the fenland landscapes is again uncertain. "
In the present period, agriculture is again under pressure, but the landscape values can only be retained by continuous agricultural use. As a cultural landscape, the fenlands are interesting in a national and even international perspective, as centers of historic innovations in land reclamation and drainage and as the basis for systems of military defenses that even have World Heritage status. The Green Heart, the central open space within the Randstad ring of towns that consists mainly of fenlands, has been a key concept in Dutch planning between the 1950s and 2011. Nevertheless, the future of the fenland landscapes is again uncertain. "
Farmer's fortifications in the central part of the province of Limburg (The Netherlands). In the southern provinces of the Netherlands and the neighbouring parts of Belgium traces have been discovered of an interesting group of 'farmers'... more
Farmer's fortifications in the central part of the province of Limburg (The Netherlands). In the southern provinces of the Netherlands and the neighbouring parts of Belgium traces have been discovered of an interesting group of 'farmers' entrenchments', small fortifications from the Early Modern Period. Between the sixteenth and eighteenth century, a period of frequent warfare, many villages and hamlets built simple fortifications as refuges for the population and their cattle. Some of these refuges were located close to the villages, other examples were built in less accessible terrains such as stream valleys. In this article, an inventory of these small fortifications for one of the core regions, the central part of the Dutch province of Limburg, is presented. Two examples are studied in some more detail: the refuges of Boshoven and Laar (municipality of Weert). At Boshoven, part of the archive still exists. This object is remarkable, as the oldest cadastral map (c. 1830) still shows how every inhabitant of the village owned a tiny plot within the refuge. At Laar, a small archaeological survey was executed, following a request from the village for input for a planned restoration project.
Giving the Hedwigepolder 'back to nature'? History and heritage of a 'young' landscape. Under the title 'Landscapes in the News', the Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift wants to present data on the history and heritage of landscapes that... more
Giving the Hedwigepolder 'back to nature'? History and heritage of a 'young' landscape. Under the title 'Landscapes in the News', the Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift wants to present data on the history and heritage of landscapes that are under threat. The present article describes the efforts to compensate the loss of ecological values in the Westerschelde estuary, that is being deepened to allow the ever larger containerships to reach the harbour of Antwerp. One of the proposals is to 'de-polderise' (or, as ecologists say: 'to give back to nature') the Hedwigepolder, a polder that was diked and reclaimed between 1904 and 1907. This article concludes not only that the present landscape has some heritage values, as a little changed early 20th-century reclamation with a layout that shows a remarkable mixture of agricultural and hunting interests. More important, the seemingly young landscape hides a complex layered landscape: under the present surface traces are hidden of an earlier short-lived 17th-century reclamation, of a medieval fenland landscape that was settled and reclaimed from the 10th-centurr onwards but was lost by 16th-century floodings and, deep below the surface, of a sandy landscape that was used by Mesolithic and Neolithic peoples.
The fenlands around the north sea: landscape history and landscape research. Wetlands can be found in many coastal regions around the North Sea. Most of these consist of fenlands and, sometimes, raised peat-bogs, lying between a coastal... more
The fenlands around the north sea: landscape history and landscape research. Wetlands can be found in many coastal regions around the North Sea. Most of these consist of fenlands and, sometimes, raised peat-bogs, lying between a coastal barrier (dunes or marshes) and the higher grounds further inland. The development of these wetlands has been studied in the Low Countries, Germany and the UK, but it proves difficult to combine the different results of these studies into one synthesis. Especially the continental and the British studies have different research questions and research traditions. In this article, it is argued that these differences are partly due to differences in the history of the landscape itself.
"Landscape as cultural heritage; historical processes and layered landscapes. During the twentieth century, the man-made landscape was gradually discovered as cultural heritage. At first, the leading idea was. That the man-made landscape... more
"Landscape as cultural heritage; historical processes and layered landscapes. During the twentieth century, the man-made landscape was gradually discovered as cultural heritage. At first, the leading idea was. That the man-made landscape was the result of a slow process leading up to a ‘climax’ in the nineteenth century. Since then, landscapes have been changing at an increasing speed. Conservation aimed at protecting the ‘traditional’ landscapes that had more or less survived the twentieth century.
During the 1980s new research showed that many landscapes had a dynamic and often troubled history. Mapping methods were developed, showing the landscape as a collection of objects, each with its own history. Although these methods saw landscape history as dynamic, they were at the same time reductionist visions, losing sight of the landscape as a whole.
In recent years new methods, such as the ‘biographical’ approach, have opened new perspectives on the management of landscapes with complex histories. A special tool for research as well as planning is the metaphor of historical layers in the landscape. It is evident that layers do not only exist in the archaeological sense (vertical layers, that can be peeled off to reach older traces), but also in a geographical sense (horizontal patterns as a result of, for example, innovation-diffusion). In other cases, traces of different periods are intermixed, when different activities took place on the same surface, each development erasing most earlier traces but at the same time leaving traces as a ‘palimpsest’. Moreover, ‘intellectual layers’ can be distinguished where older periods are reactivated. Lastly, even objects that seem unchanged for many centuries, have received different functions and meanings in the course of time, making it possible to distinguish ‘layers of meaning’."
During the 1980s new research showed that many landscapes had a dynamic and often troubled history. Mapping methods were developed, showing the landscape as a collection of objects, each with its own history. Although these methods saw landscape history as dynamic, they were at the same time reductionist visions, losing sight of the landscape as a whole.
In recent years new methods, such as the ‘biographical’ approach, have opened new perspectives on the management of landscapes with complex histories. A special tool for research as well as planning is the metaphor of historical layers in the landscape. It is evident that layers do not only exist in the archaeological sense (vertical layers, that can be peeled off to reach older traces), but also in a geographical sense (horizontal patterns as a result of, for example, innovation-diffusion). In other cases, traces of different periods are intermixed, when different activities took place on the same surface, each development erasing most earlier traces but at the same time leaving traces as a ‘palimpsest’. Moreover, ‘intellectual layers’ can be distinguished where older periods are reactivated. Lastly, even objects that seem unchanged for many centuries, have received different functions and meanings in the course of time, making it possible to distinguish ‘layers of meaning’."
25 Years Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift The editors of the Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift (Journal for Historical Geography) reflect on the occasion of the 25th jubilee year. The Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift (HGT) was an... more
25 Years Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift The editors of the Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift (Journal for Historical Geography) reflect on the occasion of the 25th jubilee year. The Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift (HGT) was an initiative of students' associations of both the Free University in Amsterdam and the Utrecht University. At that time a journal in the field of historical geography did not exist in the Netherlands. The first number of the new HGT journal was published in March 1983. The goal was to function as a medium for the exchange of information in the field of historical geography; the journal was meant for those involved in this discipline, but also for all others interested in the subject. The number of editors of the HGT journal has been rather restricted in the course of the past 25 years: nowadays two of the original editors are still part of the current group of seven editors.
In the first period the editors also took care of a number of publishing activities, such as the layout of the journal, subscribers records and mailing activities. As far as the articles in the HGT journal are concerned, the intention was that the journal would offer a platform for the publication of articles about local and regional historical geography, as well as thematic subjects and items focussed on practise. Articles with theoretical and methodical views and results of research were welcomed as well. The editors have always aspired to keep up the scientific quality as well as the social relevance of the journal. Apart from the regular journal numbers, a number of times special editions were published about certain topics. Also the editors of the HGT journal published a few books. The best known is 'Het Nederlandse Landschap' (The Dutch Landscape) the 10th edition of which will appear a year from now. An English edition of this book will be available as well.
In the course of the past 25 years a number of articles that were published in the HGT have proven to be leading in the field of historical geography. Some of these are theoretical; others are of a renewing nature in this field or can be considered to be review articles. The other parts of the journal, comprising the information section (Berichten), the survey of recent literature and the book reviews, are considered very useful. Although the journal is mostly orientated on subjects in the Netherlands, sometimes attention is paid to the historical geography in surrounding countries and information is given about congresses and conferences abroad. Since 1991 for our foreign subscribers an English summary is added to the articles.
The editors have analysed the subjects covered in the articles. Vervloet also made such an analysis in 1998, after 15 editions of the journal had been published. Now the subjects covered by the articles have been categorized again, resulting in a number of findings: the variety of subjects is considerable. The quantitatively most important subject, taking up 23 %, is 'the agrarian landscape and settlements'. Then five subjects follow taking up about the same percentage. A classification of the articles according to region was drawn up as well.
A highlight of the past years is the so-called Landview Award, which the editors were awarded in 1996 for their excellent work in producing this journal. The editors wish to thank all individuals and organizations involved with the HGT-journal, especially our authors as well as our publisher, the Matrijs Foundation in Utrecht, which supported us from the beginning. In the years to come the editors intend to keep up with new developments in the field of historical geography, in cooperation with other scientific disciplines. Increasing interest in the landscape and local and regional historical geography will be a stimulus for the editors to continue to produce the HGT journal in the future.
In the first period the editors also took care of a number of publishing activities, such as the layout of the journal, subscribers records and mailing activities. As far as the articles in the HGT journal are concerned, the intention was that the journal would offer a platform for the publication of articles about local and regional historical geography, as well as thematic subjects and items focussed on practise. Articles with theoretical and methodical views and results of research were welcomed as well. The editors have always aspired to keep up the scientific quality as well as the social relevance of the journal. Apart from the regular journal numbers, a number of times special editions were published about certain topics. Also the editors of the HGT journal published a few books. The best known is 'Het Nederlandse Landschap' (The Dutch Landscape) the 10th edition of which will appear a year from now. An English edition of this book will be available as well.
In the course of the past 25 years a number of articles that were published in the HGT have proven to be leading in the field of historical geography. Some of these are theoretical; others are of a renewing nature in this field or can be considered to be review articles. The other parts of the journal, comprising the information section (Berichten), the survey of recent literature and the book reviews, are considered very useful. Although the journal is mostly orientated on subjects in the Netherlands, sometimes attention is paid to the historical geography in surrounding countries and information is given about congresses and conferences abroad. Since 1991 for our foreign subscribers an English summary is added to the articles.
The editors have analysed the subjects covered in the articles. Vervloet also made such an analysis in 1998, after 15 editions of the journal had been published. Now the subjects covered by the articles have been categorized again, resulting in a number of findings: the variety of subjects is considerable. The quantitatively most important subject, taking up 23 %, is 'the agrarian landscape and settlements'. Then five subjects follow taking up about the same percentage. A classification of the articles according to region was drawn up as well.
A highlight of the past years is the so-called Landview Award, which the editors were awarded in 1996 for their excellent work in producing this journal. The editors wish to thank all individuals and organizations involved with the HGT-journal, especially our authors as well as our publisher, the Matrijs Foundation in Utrecht, which supported us from the beginning. In the years to come the editors intend to keep up with new developments in the field of historical geography, in cooperation with other scientific disciplines. Increasing interest in the landscape and local and regional historical geography will be a stimulus for the editors to continue to produce the HGT journal in the future.
[Summary] Hans Renes teaches historical ge¬ography. In this article he describes the changing ideas on historic land¬scape during the past decades. In the traditional period historic landscape research was descriptive and holistic. It was... more
[Summary] Hans Renes teaches historical ge¬ography. In this article he describes the changing ideas on historic land¬scape during the past decades. In the traditional period historic landscape research was descriptive and holistic. It was generally taken for granted that landscapes developed during the Middle Ages and had passed a long period of stability between the late Middle Ages and the nineteenth century. During the ‘modern’ period, from the 1970s into the 1990s, historical geographers were influenced by the Anglo-Saxon quanti¬tative geography. The landscape was unraveled into components that were analysed separately. Although methods were probably more scientific, the new trends brought little new insights in land¬scapes. In the postmodern period man and landscape became central again. Now the landscape was seen as a result of the people living in it. Therefore, the way people are perceiving landscapes became more important. As a landscape is a composition in our head (leading to the thesis that without man there is no landscape) , geographers must involve the observer in doing historic geographi¬cal research.
New nature in an old landscape. During the 1990s, growing areas have been taken out of agricultural production, to be converted into semi-natural systems (‘new nature’). Although this process enlarged the ecological values of landscapes,... more
New nature in an old landscape. During the 1990s, growing areas have been taken out of agricultural production, to be converted into semi-natural systems (‘new nature’). Although this process enlarged the ecological values of landscapes, it can work negative on the historic landscape values of the cultural landscape in three ways. Firstly, sometimes the land is intensively redeveloped to maximize ecological potential, which can cause a loss of landscape features. Secondly, much of the new nature is financed by extensive excavation of gravel, sand or clay, thereby destroying the historic landscape. Thirdly, new nature is often part of a deal, in which agriculture gives up marginal lands, but in turn claims the right to intensify further (with a loss of landscape features as a result) on neighboring lands. During the last decade, these problems have been most obvious in the riverine region of the Central-Netherlands. The author urges for more cooperation between ecologists and landscape historians in the planning of new nature.
"Old fishponds in South Limburg. Very little research has been done on old fishponds in the Netherlands. The first part of this article reviews the literature on the subject, set against the interna¬tional literature. In the Middle Ages... more
"Old fishponds in South Limburg. Very little research has been done on old fishponds in the Netherlands. The first part of this article reviews the literature on the subject, set against the interna¬tional literature. In the Middle Ages the number of ponds must have been considerable, but in most of the country very few are left. In the 19th century, only in the southernmost part of the country, the hilly southern part of the province of Limburg, had pond-culture still some importance.
The second part presents a survey of fishponds in the region of South Limburg in the first half of the 19th century. At that time 90 pond systems, each consisting of two or more ponds, were still in existence in this region. Most of them belonged to manors and country-seats, although some were originally built by religious institutions.
The ponds are classified after their location in narrow or wider stream valleys or in flatter land¬scapes. Different types of systems can be distin¬guished: long series of ponds in narrow valleys as opposed to other types on flatter sites. Another distinction is made between irregularly and regularly shaped ponds, the first probably being the oldest. Although the dates of construction of most ponds are unknown, it is clear that ponds were being constructed during a long period. Some ponds are certainly of medieval origin, the oldest being mentioned in the 11th century, but as late as the 18th century ponds were still seen as a normal part of an estate.
Today some of the old ponds still exist. Field survey revealed traces of some of the other ponds. More attention to these traces is demanded. "
The second part presents a survey of fishponds in the region of South Limburg in the first half of the 19th century. At that time 90 pond systems, each consisting of two or more ponds, were still in existence in this region. Most of them belonged to manors and country-seats, although some were originally built by religious institutions.
The ponds are classified after their location in narrow or wider stream valleys or in flatter land¬scapes. Different types of systems can be distin¬guished: long series of ponds in narrow valleys as opposed to other types on flatter sites. Another distinction is made between irregularly and regularly shaped ponds, the first probably being the oldest. Although the dates of construction of most ponds are unknown, it is clear that ponds were being constructed during a long period. Some ponds are certainly of medieval origin, the oldest being mentioned in the 11th century, but as late as the 18th century ponds were still seen as a normal part of an estate.
Today some of the old ponds still exist. Field survey revealed traces of some of the other ponds. More attention to these traces is demanded. "
Opportunities for Water and Cultural Heritage. On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary, the Utrecht Historical Geographical Society presented a CD-ROM on the theme 'Water and heritage'. The CD-ROM is published in a period of growing... more
Opportunities for Water and Cultural Heritage. On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary, the Utrecht Historical Geographical Society presented a CD-ROM on the theme 'Water and heritage'. The CD-ROM is published in a period of growing interest in water management. The problems of rising seawater and river water levels are of particular importance in a country in which the main cities are situated and a substantial part of the population live in low-lying areas. The future water management will request vision, creativity and money. Historians and heritage specialists hardly take part in discussions on these subjects. Nevertheless, they could play a larger role, not only by participating in discussions on the future management of large parts of the Dutch landscape heritage, but also by pointing out long-term processes and past solutions.
Game parks in the Netherlands, traces of an old form of fauna management. During the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, game parks existed in many parts of Europe. In Dutch historical geography, very little has been written about... more
Game parks in the Netherlands, traces of an old form of fauna management. During the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, game parks existed in many parts of Europe. In Dutch historical geography, very little has been written about this phenomenon, although the main hall of the Dutch parliament buildings originally probably formed the centre of a medieval game park. The present article presents the evidence for the existence of former parks in the Netherlands within an international perspective. The huge early medieval game 'forests' developed into the late medieval parks, which are known as 'park', 'haag' and under other names. During the 17th and 18th century a few new parks were established. It is argued that these parks, which must be looked upon as cultural landscapes, could serve examples for semi-natural ecosystems with a high biodiversity.
Dikes along the river Meuse in the province of Limburg. In the northern part (the 'Peelhorst') and in the most southern part of the province of Limburg, in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, the river Meuse has eroded a narrow... more
Dikes along the river Meuse in the province of Limburg. In the northern part (the 'Peelhorst') and in the most southern part of the province of Limburg, in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, the river Meuse has eroded a narrow river valley. In the central part (south of the ‘Peelrand’ fault) however, the river flows through a ‘graben’: Here, the Meuse spreaded out over a broad valley, which was in the course of time filled with sediments. In this last region, dikes were built to protect relatively low-lying settlements from flooding. Different villages each had their hooked local dikes, which started from the higher river-terraces and protected the village from above and from beside. Continuous dikes along the river, characteristic for the river banks further downstream, never developed along the Limburg part of the Meuse.
Regained from the water: the landscape of the Beemster. From the l6th century onwards, inland lakes were drained and made into agricultural land. Starting with the Achtermeer near Alkmaar, drained 1532, a total number of 445 lakes,... more
Regained from the water: the landscape of the Beemster. From the l6th century onwards, inland lakes were drained and made into agricultural land. Starting with the Achtermeer near Alkmaar, drained 1532, a total number of 445 lakes, together 300.000 ha, were drained. More than half of these lakes, with almost 3/4 of the area, were natural lakes, the others were the result of peat-digging. The drainings were concentrated in two periods: the 'Golden Age' of the first half of the 17th century en the period from ca 1850 until the present day. The oldest drained lakes are no longer recognizable, due to urbanization and agricultural developments.
The most magnificent drained lake is the Beemster c. 7100 ha), the first of the large projects. The Beemster was drained by 43 windmills, between 1607-1612. The layout of the new polder shows a typical renaissance-pattern, with the road system and the main drainage ditches dividing the land in exact squares. Each square in turn was divided into five strips of 225 x 900 metres each. On the crossroads, rectangular squares were planned, five of which were meant to become villages. In the end, only one of these villages, Midden-Beemster, was realized. The polder was not only for agriculture, but also for the second homes for the merchants and patricians, mainly from Amsterdam, who financed the project. Therefore, more than in any other polder, the landscape was beautified by trees and private gardens. The Beemster is a unique example of 17th-century Dutch landscape planning.
The most magnificent drained lake is the Beemster c. 7100 ha), the first of the large projects. The Beemster was drained by 43 windmills, between 1607-1612. The layout of the new polder shows a typical renaissance-pattern, with the road system and the main drainage ditches dividing the land in exact squares. Each square in turn was divided into five strips of 225 x 900 metres each. On the crossroads, rectangular squares were planned, five of which were meant to become villages. In the end, only one of these villages, Midden-Beemster, was realized. The polder was not only for agriculture, but also for the second homes for the merchants and patricians, mainly from Amsterdam, who financed the project. Therefore, more than in any other polder, the landscape was beautified by trees and private gardens. The Beemster is a unique example of 17th-century Dutch landscape planning.
Dockum, S. van, S. van Lochem, D. van Marrewijk, H. Renes, R. Smouter & K. van der Wielen (1997). Nederlandse landschappen van wereldformaat; cultuurlandschappen op Werelderfgoedlijst. Geografie 6, pp. 24-29.