The texts in this section provide the scientific background to the main topics presented in our thematic walks. They explain many issues relevant to climate change and show some examples of climate adaptation measures.

  • Our climate

    Our climate

    Our climate is changing: it’s getting warmer and there is more rainfall, but there are also longer periods of drought! Delft gets more rain than most other cities in The Netherlands.

  • Previously: draining rainwater

    Previously: draining rainwater

    Traditional thinking in the Netherlands was that there was always enough, and often too much water. Water was considered a potential problem and rainwater needed to be drained away as quickly as possible.

  • Now: storing rainwater

    Now: storing rainwater

    Today, we consider water more as a precious resource, which should be saved for periods of drought. We want to store rainwater water locally, in the ground, on roofs, in reservoirs, etc. That is cheaper and provide cooling and water for plants when it is hot and dry.

  • What is groundwater?

    What is groundwater?

    Groundwater is water in the ground. It is found in between sand grains, and in between clay and peat particles. Groundwater flows more easily in sandy soils with its larger grains.

  • Groundwater in Delft

    Groundwater in Delft

    The soils in Delft are mostly clay and peat and they have subsided significantly over the last centuries. As a result, the groundwater level in Delft is quit high.