Drought costs cities more than just withered greenery

NEWS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Heleen Kommers, Wednesday 29 July 2026

99 sec

Nearly half a million buildings are at risk of foundation damage due to changing water management

In a previous article on Stad + Groen, we wrote, based on figures from Stichting RIONED, that the financial impact of drought on cities is still largely unknown. Damage to trees, green spaces and public areas is visible, but many of the costs remain hidden. New figures on foundation damage show that the consequences of prolonged drought may extend far beyond urban greenery alone. The built environment is also being affected by falling groundwater levels and land subsidence.

NWST archive image for illustration

According to the national approach to foundation problems, an estimated nearly 500,000 buildings in the Netherlands are at risk of foundation damage. The problem is caused by a combination of factors, including the age of buildings, land subsidence and changing groundwater levels. The risk is particularly high in areas where groundwater levels remain low for extended periods.

Drought affects not only trees and green spaces, but also the very foundations on which cities are built

Low groundwater levels increase the risk

Buildings with wooden foundation piles are particularly vulnerable to prolonged periods of low groundwater levels. These piles normally remain in good condition as long as they stay submerged. When groundwater levels fall for extended periods, oxygen can reach the wood, increasing the risk of decay.
Drought is not the only cause of foundation problems. Land subsidence and the condition of existing foundations also play a role. Areas with peat and clay soils are particularly vulnerable, as falling groundwater levels can cause these soils to subside further.

The same water system that affects trees also has consequences for buildings

From green management to an urban water challenge

For municipalities, this means that drought can no longer be viewed solely as a green management issue. The way water is drained, retained and replenished in cities affects multiple systems at the same time.
As a result, climate adaptation measures are taking on broader significance. More green space, less paving and greater opportunities for water infiltration not only help reduce heat stress and drought, but can also contribute to a healthier balance in the urban water system.

Drought is increasingly becoming an issue for the entire urban living environment

Greater integration of soil, water and green infrastructure

In recent years, the discussion about drought has focused mainly on damage to trees, lawns and natural areas. Growing attention to foundation problems makes it clear that the consequences of a changing climate are much broader.
Municipalities are therefore faced with the challenge of considering soil, water and green infrastructure in a more integrated way. The design of public spaces increasingly determines how a city copes with prolonged dry periods and extreme weather events.
The exact cost of drought to cities remains difficult to determine. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the impact is not limited to withered roadside verges or water-stressed trees. It also affects the built environment and requires a broader approach to climate adaptation.

This article was previously published on 28 July 2026 on the website of Stad + Groen.

Stichting Rioned

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