Elevated emergency refuges

Elevated refuge from the 11th and 12th centuries, Koudekerke Zuid-Beveland © Bert van As, Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed

In deep polders that cannot be quickly evacuated, raised evacuation areas provide a refuge. These buildings must be equipped with facilities to generate decentralised energy, while also providing drinking water and a food supply.
In an area such as the Eems Delta in the north of Groningen, the ancient mounds with their churches can serve this function.
There have been considerations to realise shelters on the higher ground outside of the dike protection areas near Dordrecht for the benefit of the residents of low-lying polders.

Elevated refuge from the 11th and 12th centuries, Koudekerke Zuid-Beveland © Bert van As, Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed
Elevated emergency refuges - Source: atelier GROENBLAUW
Hallig Hooge, North Friesian islands Germany © Sandra Buhmann