Every polder structure is composed of the same building materials (dikes, roads, farms, water, planting and in some cases also villages and towns) in constantly evolving configurations. The parcel of land is the most elementary component, and the basic module with which the entire landscape of Holland is built up. Though agricultural demands always took priority in the creation of the polders, they were also colonies established by the cities, whose wealthy merchants regarded the poldering projects as attractive investments. The influence of the city therefore extended deep into the countryside.

1600-1900
In 17th-century polders such as the Beemster (1608-1612) and the Watergraafsmeer (1628-1629), a productive agricultural landscape even went hand in hand with a country estate landscape used by wealthy individuals from the city. The number of country estates shrank dramatically between 1680 and 1850 because of the economic malaise. The growth of towns and cities stagnated and the population actually fell. During this period, the boundary between town and country again became sharply articulated. It was not until the demolition of the city walls around 1870 and increasingly rapid population growth that urban expansion into the surrounding landscape picked up again.

20th century
In the 20th century, more and more polders were annexed by the urban area in waves of development. With the exception of the residential developments of post-war reconstruction, the polder structure - and specifically the parcellation of the land - in many cases determined the outline and dimensions for urban development.

Watergraafsmeer (1628-1629)

Haarlemmermeer (1840 - 1852)

Prins Alexander Polder (1865-1874)