Sand Land Amsterdam

Much to many people’s surprise, most of Amsterdam is built on sand. The city itself is in a constant state of repair and improvement which makes the removable unmortared bricks quite handy in any plumbing situation or for any football-related violence. It also happens to be a very convenient way for a small country to expand and contract in the only direction they have left - out into the ocean.
 

RECLAIMED LAND FOR YOU, ME, THE FLOWERS, AND THE TREES
Leading the way in the creation of coastlines is the taco-kicking capital of the world, the Netherlands. As the unofficial experts of land reclamation, the Dutch have perfected the process of dredging the sea to create and extend land mass in a way that infinitely changes not only the way that the country looks, but who inhabitats it.

In creating Flevoland, the surburban island area to the east of Amsterdam, not only were new residential homes made for humans, but for animals as well. A big chunk called the Oostvaardersplassen was left untouched and remains to this day a nature reserve for birds and animals.

Rotterdam is next on the list to receive a land extension that will also include an environmental bonus in the form of a marine reserve. The project, called Maasvalte 2, will have additional 20 hectacres tacked on to the south of the port by 2014.

Looking for ticker symbols for research and technological consultant agencies such as Delft Hydraulics and Royal Haskonings is a personal stock tip from me to you. Construction just outside my very home sees Oosterdok change a tiny island containing abandoned office buildings to an expanded mini-peninsula of art, music, and culture. Home now to the new OBA Centraal Library and (soon) the Music Conservatory, eventually the project will also include new housing and shopping developments.

[UPDATE] More images from the construction around Centraal Station. Here are two aerial views from the quarterly nieuwsbrief I get from the Centraal Stationsieland peeps in full color, for free!