Reclamation of Land
In the seventeenth century, the Horstermeer Polder and the neighbouring Naardermeer were among the twenty new polders around Amsterdam. However, both these polders were hardly workable because of the large quantity of salt-water seepage that rose to the surface. In 1877 the Horstermeer was acquired by agricultural engineer Hans Hendrik Christiaan van der Houven van Oordt who immediately started making plans for a new poldering.

Salt water
The layout of the Horstermeer Polder is simple. A ribbon with construction divides the area into two equal parts. At right angles to this central line there are relatively small plots of land with a parcel width of twenty metres. Life was very difficult for the colonists in the polder. Once again, a lot of salt water tainted the soil from underground wells or seepage from the more elevated surrounding polders and lakes.

Market gardening
In 1902, Frederik van Eeden introduced market gardening into the area by starting one of the so-called Walden colonies. Within a few decades this form of agriculture flourished, but the conditions and layout of the polder were a big hindrance to further developments. The plots were too small and market gardening under glass was impossible because of the saline seepage.

Future perspective
In the 1970s the municipality Nederhorst ten Berg discussed the future use of the polder and concluded that the area should first and foremost remain 'green'. Though this debate still continues, it now has a more dramatic undertone: one of the most far-reaching future scenarios is allowing the polder to flood again.

Theme Watershed

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