Barge Skipper
In this insightful interview, Tido, a water worker and skipper in Amsterdam shares his experiences in maintaining and cleaning the city’s iconic canals. He discusses the significance of the canals in protecting the city from flooding and talks about the various debris they encounter, including plastic, tires, and even cars. Tido emphasises the importance of their work in keeping the canals safe and navigable. The interview also touches on childhood memories, dreams, and legends related to water. Tido’s story offers a unique perspective on the hidden but crucial role of water workers in preserving the beauty and functionality of Amsterdam’s waterways.
Project leader, Environment Management
Discovering Environmental Stewardship: In a recent interview, we explored the world’s largest sea lock project with Jan Rinstra, an esteemed environmental manager. Jan’s primary role revolves around water management, emphasising eco-conscious policies. Throughout the discussion, we learn about the IJmuiden Sea Lock’s significance in promoting sustainable practices and its vital function in enhancing water resources, countering the effects of climate change, and facilitating maritime traffic with its impressive engineering.
Geosciences Professor
(en) Dr. Kim Cohen, Geosciences professor at the University of Utrecht, joins us this session to discuss shifting coastlines, mapping sea-level rises, and what we can do to mitigate the effects of extreme coastal changes.
Historian and City Guide
The chairman of De Amsterdam Cultuur-Historische Vereniging. This society aims to share knowledge about the history of Amsterdam. He is a city guide, and during our talk, he tells us about Amsterdam, het IJ, Noordzeekanaal and Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal coming into being. Did you know the harbour in this city moved from east to west? You will hear all about it in our talk with Aaldrik.
Teamleader brug-en Sluiswachten
As a little Amsterdam boy, Stefan climbed opened bridges to annoy the bridge keepers, not knowing he would become a bridge and lock keeper himself. For 15 years, Stefan has worked as a bridge and lock keeper. He shares his love for the profession.
Ferry Skipper
This is an interview with Uljan, a skipper with GVB Ferries. Uljan, who came to the interview dressed in full uniform, told the School of Winds and Waves about his daily routine at work, secrets that deep waters conceal, and an office with the best view in Amsterdam.
Informed Layman
With Ingrid, we spoke about the basics of water management in Amsterdam. She explains some terminology we will hear more often during these water talks. The talk is about love for and fear of water and the pros and cons of living in a delta.
Hydrologist
Being a Hydrologist, Maartje works at Waternet as a senior project manager and consultant. She knows all about the importance of securing the right water levels in the city and how to regulate them. When too much water is in the city, it needs to be pumped out. This happens at IJmuiden, where excessive water gets pumped into the sea. At times of drought on the other hand, large amounts of water are being pumped into Amsterdam from the IJsselmeer. How to regulate this well? Maartje Faasse tells us about her work.
Former Harbour Master
Cor is a retired sailor, salvage expert, and harbour master of the port of Amsterdam and harbour master of the North Sea Canal. In this interview, Cor tells us how Amsterdam as a port is connects to the world, to the world’s oceans on one side, and the °hinterland° (Germany and beyond) on the other.
Cor helps us understand the practicalities and usefulness of the North Sea Canal and the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal for the city of Amsterdam and its surroundings.