In 1932 the Zuiderzee in the Netherlands was separated from the Sea by a huge dike - mainly for the sake of shorter traffic links. This turned the former bay into a lake, the IJsselmeer.
In the late 70s, the calmer nature of this water body was utilized for land reclamation (Droogmakerij).
Roughly half of it is dry land since. Another reclamation project, namely of the Markermeer (as a part of the IJsselmeer), was abandoned.
Now assume that the reclamation project would have been pursued faster, so that politicians and population would have less opportunity to change their mind in time. Assume further (for the sake of analysis) that inspired by the success of the prior projects, the Netherlands pursue the transformation of the whole IJsselmeer!
No doubt, this would be a giant achievement, but also quite feasible for contemporary engineers. Obvious consequences include:
What do you think would be further consequences?
In the late 70s, the calmer nature of this water body was utilized for land reclamation (Droogmakerij).
Roughly half of it is dry land since. Another reclamation project, namely of the Markermeer (as a part of the IJsselmeer), was abandoned.
Now assume that the reclamation project would have been pursued faster, so that politicians and population would have less opportunity to change their mind in time. Assume further (for the sake of analysis) that inspired by the success of the prior projects, the Netherlands pursue the transformation of the whole IJsselmeer!
No doubt, this would be a giant achievement, but also quite feasible for contemporary engineers. Obvious consequences include:
- The Netherlands would be roughly 15% bigger in terms of land (compared to pre-reclamation; perhaps 7% relative to today).
- Accessibility of urban central Holland from the West would improve. However, this advantage is relativized by the lack of significant urban centres in the North-Eastern Netherlands and the adjacent regions in Germany, other than those already benefitting from existing links. ;-)
- A great tourist attraction would have been destroyed.
- Local climate, flora and fauna would significantly change.
What do you think would be further consequences?