Reporting the Delta

The Dutch Delta tells the story of constant struggle, resistance and negotiation between land, water and people. It is always in motion – from fluctuating tides and historic floods to flows of global trade and engineering mega works.

In Reporting the Delta, archival documentaries by, among others, Bert Haanstra, Louis van Gasteren, and George Sluizer are used as tools to investigate the transformations of the Dutch Delta. These films capture the ambition of reshaping nature and mastering water’s movements and serve as points of departure for a broader exploration. Through essays, interviews, and visual digests, the book weaves together voices from science, art, and design. The book offers a visual and narrative reflection on the entangled forces of technology, climate, and daily life, resulting in a compelling journey through a Delta in a constant state of adaptation.

With contributions and interviews from, among others, Digna Sinke, Rommy Alberts (Eye Filmmuseum), Fransje Hooimeijer (Delft University of Technology), Floris Paalman, Lia Franken-de Vries, Joost Adriaanse, and Ester van de Wiel (sea -place -work -land).