Field Trip 5

Understanding Subsidence in the Heart of Gouda. Step into one of the Netherlands’ most iconic sunken cities for a thought-provoking journey into the depths of man-made subsidence — where history, science, and climate meet beneath your feet. 

 Welcome & Presentations

Kay Koster – expert in water management and spatial planning

Peter Fokker – geoscientist specializing in subsurface processes

Topics include:

• Water management and peatland subsidence
• Mining-induced ground movements
• Climate change and future risks

Walking Tour through historic Gouda, exploring real-life signs of subsidence in streets, buildings, and canals.

Special Visit to the Grote or Sint-Janskerk, Gouda’s iconic stained-glass church – a silent witness to centuries of a sinking landscape.

This experience offers a rich mix of geoscience, urban history, and climate awareness, all set in one of the Netherlands’ most charming (and slowly sinking) cities.