THE CHALLENGE: The Grift is the main artery in the system of springs and brooks in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn. The brook was largely led underground in the seventies in a large concrete pipe for the purpose of draining away rainwater quickly. Lately, the city was looking for ways to restore the natural flow of the water system, while guaranteeing safety to infrastructure and buildings.

THE APPROACH: ARCADIS developed a plan, consisting of crossings with existing infrastructure, fish passages, type vertical-lock, retention ponds, bicycle and hiking paths/bridges, various hydraulic engineering works of art.

THE RESULT: A system of springs and brooks that can follow its original, natural path safely within a modern city.
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