For the water engineering aficionados, here comes a modular itinerary dedicated to that very topic: Water engineering, ancient to current.
The Dutch are well known for their smart innovations when it comes to water engineering. Efficient protection from floods is just one part of this fine capacity which they evolved throughout centuries, out of necessity. Less known are a series of more recent innovations aimed at restoring ecosystems and managing water.
Water pumping stations
The “waterflow” forest
Flood protection, the Aikido way: Room for the river
When reading about this fascinating project, I was reminded of martial arts and a certain philosophy which states: Aggression is just one form and dose of energy. There are times and situations when aggression is perfectly appropriate and will save lives – and many others situations when of course it is destructive. Likewise, elements like fire and water van kill or save and sustain us, depending on how we handle and meet them. So a force itself must not be feared, but “just” understood. And it all boils down to smart handling, constant learning and adapting. Capable martial arts teachers will tell you about that. Relevant here since the project I’d like to tell you about is a great example of skillful dealing with a potentially devastating force.
This project is described already so well in the following article that I will not even try to write something better. Also, I want to draw your attention to the great inspiring website hosting that article and many others like it: Reasons to be cheerful.