'Dutch Dikes and Risk hikes', evaluation of the Netherlands' Policy on Flood Protection

Flood defences in the Netherlands are stronger than ever due to extensive improvement programs the past decades. However, flood risks have increased because the number of people and the economic values to protect have increased at a higher rate than the strength of the dikes. Compared to the risks associated with other hazards (external risks) flood risks are much higher. At the moment protection levels have hardly a relation with the values to protect. Other options than present policy can be much more cost effective.