The Water Discovery Lab was first exhibited aboard De Zeemeuw, a “coaster” vessel currently moored in the Leuvehaven at the maritime museum of Rotterdam. The exhibition invited visitors to explore their relationship with water by examining it through various lenses. In its layout and activation, the exhibition was meant to engage kids, tourists, seniors, and professionals to learn about water interactively, and to build on existing narratives with personal stories.
Learnings from Dutch water systems were shared in Rotterdam, with examples ranging from flood management tools by water boards (Waterschappen) to river freight transport facilitated by the Rijkswaterstaat. Despite their technological advancements, these human interventions leave a lasting impact on the water system. This is clear when visiting the Zalmhaven in Rotterdam, which used to house a bustling salmon trade before sluices blocked the migration pathways. The stories of Rotterdam and the Rhine showcase the complexities inherent to value deliberation in water systems.
