Preserving Amsterdam's Canal Heritage: The Urgent Need to Assess the Condition of Wooden P

The management of the quay walls and bridges in Amsterdam, which are supported by wooden piles, falls under the responsibility of the municipality. The condition of the piles, of which there are approximately one million and some are centuries old, is unknown. To address this issue, a comprehensive research program has been initiated. Over the years, maintenance of the quays has been subpar, resulting in numerous steel sheet pilings being installed sporadically to temporarily reinforce them. The consequences of a quay wall collapse are significant, affecting not only the adjacent road but also the foundation of the canal houses. A sudden and severe collapse could cause canal houses to slide off their wooden foundation, with disastrous consequences.