Subsidence is expected to cause significant damage to infrastructure and building foundations in the Netherlands. As the processes are mostly human-induced, this damage may be prevented. Economic impact assessment can help identify the optimal approach to dealing with subsidence, but experience with this is still limited. We develop a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of strategies developed in the historic center of Gouda, the Netherlands which was used by the Municipality to focus future efforts.

In the Netherlands, subsidence of peat and clay soils due to (artificial) lowering of the groundwater table and loading of soft soils causes extensive damage. The topic is a major concern to homeowners and public authorities but an integrated risk assessment is currently lacking. In this paper, we propose a modular methodology for the systematic countrywide assessment of two subsidence-related damage mechanisms to buildings. Its application will support private and public decision-making.