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10 facts about water and the liquid city
Foto: Claire Droppert
The theme of the Rotterdam Architecture Month ’23 is “Liquid City” In the outdoor exhibition of the same name, which you will see along the route in the festival heart, we delve into the world of rain barrels, African water cities, the water atlas, pool boats, the voice of water, and floating farms. We still have to wait a little longer until the festival heart and the exhibition open on June 1st. That’s why we have compiled the most interesting water facts for you in the meantime.
Foto: Guido Pijper
Did you know…
- there is currently the same amount of water on Earth as when the Earth was formed?
- a tree evaporates 265 liters of water per day?
- approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface is made up of water?
- you can prevent waterlogging by removing tiles from your garden? This allows water to seep into the ground and replenish groundwater. If you also plant some greenery in their place, you’ll be helping birds, bees, and butterflies at the same time!
Did you know…
- …about a quarter of the Netherlands is below sea level
- Approximately 30% of our country is prone to flooding.
- …in Rotterdam, around 40,000 people live in areas outside the dikes?
- …the water we drink in Rotterdam is sourced from the Maas River?
- …Rotterdam tap water is approximately 200 to 800 times cheaper than bottled water?
Foto: Iris van den Broek
Foto: Gerhard van Roon
Did you know…
- …about 90% of Rotterdam is located below sea level?
- …Rotterdam remains safe through an intelligent system of dikes, dams, and living with the water.
- …The first dam was built in 1270? It was constructed in the Rotte River, at the location where the Hoogstraat and Binnenrotte are now situated. The houses built on and around the dam marked the beginning of the city of Rotterdam.
- …Rotterdam owes its name to this history! The Rotte River was filled in from the late 19th century, and now you can find the large Binnenrotte/Blaak market here on a weekly basis.
3 tips from the editorial team
If you want to delve deeper into this theme or explore the water in Rotterdam in a different way, the editorial team has three activity tips for you during the Rotterdam Architecture Month!
- Starting from May 14th, you can visit Waterstad Rotterdam, an exhibition featuring impressive floating pavilions by architect Kunlé Adeyemi in the ponds of the Nieuwe Instituut.
- If you prefer to explore the water in Rotterdam yourself, you can rent a water bike, kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard in the Rijnhaven during the RA Month.
- Music lovers can also rejoice as on Saturday, June 24th, you can board het Jazzschip, a production by North Sea Round Town.
Het Jazzschip. Foto: Roel Dijkstra
Waterstad Rotterdam in het Nieuwe Instituut. Beeld: NLÉ
