As a born Helderse boy, the Lange Jaap and the dike are important icons of this city to me. Although I find the dike before the raising, in the late 70s, much more beautiful.
Old photos show little Ronald with his mother staring out over the wild waves from the – modest dike despite the concrete wall of the Atlantic Wall – side of the dike. Behind them are buildings that had survived the war. Or had been built recently. Den Helder was still truly connected to the sea.
Similar photos will undoubtedly grace many Helderse albums. Just like the ones from the fair behind the dike near Fort Navgis. There, I impressed my first fling by not flinching when we were sitting in a half-loose carriage of the Octopus, even though I was actually scared out of my wits… Anyway, that’s that.
The dike of the past became the dike of the present. A kind of green Berlin Wall. Nevertheless, we feel a kinship. It belongs to us, the people of Nieuwediep. We cycle over it, we walk over it, we fish there, we let our dog shit there.
The dike evokes emotion. I see that in the Dijkkwartier. This project anticipates future sea level rise and solves part of the housing shortage. With social housing. With relatively affordable owner-occupied homes. And yes, also with more expensive homes. As one of the poorest cities in the Netherlands, we also need people with money. Otherwise, we won't have a shop, swimming pool, or cinema left. The unique aspect of this project: the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board, usually very cautious with the dike, is closely involved and sees opportunities.
Now that the new city hall is standing and you don't hear anyone talking about it anymore, Den Helder needs something else to get worked up about. Prediction: some political parties are going to exploit the Dijkkwartier in the run-up to the 2026 elections. After all, cultivating resentment means cultivating dissatisfied voters. Dissatisfied voters mean potential voters.
And so it becomes a discussion based on gut feeling. Soon you won't be able to walk the dog on the dike anymore! (Not true). There will only be expensive houses for the elite! (Not true). The taxpayer has to bleed! (Not true). The view will disappear! (Which view? The one over the sea remains, and on the land side you now look at the backs of old flats). The Dorus Rijkershofje is under threat! (By that time I will be long dead and buried). It will become a second Zandvoort or Knokke! (Not true, there will be high-quality architecture à la the city center).
The dike is an icon. It will remain so. With the Dijkkwartier as well. A magnificent dike. Accessible to everyone. For many, a solution to the housing shortage. And for Den Helder, finally the return of the connection to the sea.
RONALD DEN BOER
