Amphibious Housinq ¡n the Netherlands outlines the trencis and experiments in the realm of architecture on and in ciose proximity to water. It is impossibie to imagine our spatiai and urban planning without water, and this book reveais what is happening in the reaim of amphibious housing and howthat is progressing. Asan encore, the book presents an initial proposal for how this might be achieved more efficiently, more astutely and on a larger scaie in the future.
People have been iiving on and aiong the water for centuries, and the Netheriands, with its poiders, dikes and waterways, boasts a unique tradition in this regard. The consequences of climate change and urban expansion for this denseiy popuiated delta are great, which isa driving force for experiments with innovative forms of housing and organizational principies. Various housing types have been devised for this watery environment over recent years: fioating dweiiings, amphibious dweiiings, pile dweiiings, mound dweiiings and dike dweiiings. The first pilot schemes have aiready been realized, but now those ciusters of dweliings wiii grow into complete amphibious districts with a dedicated infrastructure, mains and services. This chailenges urban and rural pianners, deveiopers, poiicymakers, designers and other experts to integrate water in their visions for housing and urban deveiopment. How do we design a district that amounts to more than a 'normal' iand-based neiqhbourhood with an abundance of water and is more than a coiony of houseboats with limited amenities? How can we best manage accessibility, routing, the quaiity of pubiic space and privacy? What new principies does amphibious urbanism bring into play?