Aukje de Haan, Hilde Verboven

Historische Scheldepolders overstromen weer. Het verhaal van een grote landschapsverandering.

Historisch geografisch tijdschrift 28 (2010) 12 - 24.

In Vlaanderen worden, om het overstromingsrisico in bebouwde gebieden te verkleinen, de komende jaren verschillende rivierpolders omgevormd tot overstromingsgebied. Voor de grootste van deze polders, die van Kruibeke - Bazel - Rupelmonde, werd door het Vlaams Instituut voor het Onroerend Erfgoed in opdracht van Waterwegen en Zeekanaal NV een historisch landschapsonderzoek uitgevoerd.

Historical Scheldtpolders flooded again. The story of landscape change.

Various polders along the tidal rivers in Flanders are converted into floodplains to protect more densely built-on areas against the threat of future flooding. The second aim of these flood areas is development of nature, as required by EU-guidelines to compensate for the loss of nature as a consequence of the dredging of the Scheldt. Commissioned by W&Z (Waterways and Sea-canal NV) the VIOE (Flemish Heritage Institute) carried out research in the polder of Kruibeke - Bazel - Rupelmonde (KBR). This 750 hectare polder will change rapidly and this research is a way to record the historical landscape before it changes. The polder of KBR is situated in de Scheldt valley, about 10 meters below the area surrounding it. Because of its position in the landscape, the polder is uninhabited. This means it was always used for agriculture and there has been little change in the course of time, but this also makes the polder perfect for use as a floodplain. The polder was diked in the 12th or 13th century. The dike along the Scheldt is the historical dike although it is higher now and has been changed as a consequence of break throughs. The land in Kruibeke and Bazel-Rupelmonde was reclaimed in a particular manner, which is reflected in the patterns of parcelling, roads and waterways. This is a result of the physical environment (soil, height, etc) and organisation / initiator. The polder contains a clear mark of the past. The medieval reclamation processes remain visible in the landscape. Specific species of plants and traces of the extraction of peat reflect previous manners the land was used. The river has also had great influence on the landscape. When the dykes broke, pools (wielen) were created, which still are still part of the landscape today. Research like this could be used by planners and designers to make the new blueprints for these areas, merging safety and nature, as well as cultural heritage. More and comparative research is needed to be able to make well considered choices in the future.