Tijdschrift voor Historische Geografie - Current Issue

Duck decoys in the river basins of the Culemborgerwaard

The Culemborgerwaard is located in the western part of Gelderland and is part of the central river area of The Netherlands. The riverbanks have traditionally been used for settlements and agriculture. In contrast, the river basins have been used less by people, due to the wet conditions and regular floods. The construction of duck decoys (eendenkooien) was one of the few ways to earn a living in these wet and low-lying lands. Catching ducks involved a pond with one or more covered ditches into which the ducks were lured, and a forest around it. Most duck decoys are not in use anymore, and many have (partly) disappeared. However, they remain important elements in the landscape, from both a cultural-historical and ecological perspective.

Transformer substation. Symbol of progress

Transformer substations, small but essential components in the electricity network, step down high voltage (3-50 kV) to low voltage (230 V) for safe use in homes and businesses. As the demand for sustainable energy grows, the Netherlands faces a pressing need to expand its electrical infrastructure, including 50,000 new transformer stations. Historically, transformer stations evolved from tall structures, inspired by church towers, to smaller, more functional designs. Early models featured distinct regional architectural styles influenced by modernist movements, with municipalities, like Amsterdam, commissioning unique designs. By the mid-20th century, the design focus shifted to functionality, prioritizing quick construction over aesthetics, leading to the standardized, minimalistic designs seen today. The efficiency of these modern stations led to a loss of diversity in design, resulting in their poor integration into the urban landscape. By paying attention to design and learning from the rich history of the transformer substations, they can regain their cultural significance as symbols of progress.