About Otto Levelt

As a physical geographer, he prefers to combine different types of information and data — ecological, geological and soil‑related — into an integrated whole. He has a keen eye for the quality and provenance of GIS data, understands the appropriate scale and purpose, and can quickly assess which datasets are fit for use. His experience ranges from collecting geographic data such as LiDAR and aerial imagery to developing tools and visualisation solutions that help stakeholders make better‑informed decisions.

Otto Levelt: “Presenting spatial information in a powerful, clear and convincing way — so that my work contributes to better understanding, better decision‑making and a better‑prepared society — is what I always strive for.”

In recent years, his work has focused primarily on land subsidence. Using his expertise in GIS, he links the functioning of groundwater and soil systems with socio‑economic factors and visualises these relationships in maps. For example, he developed decision‑support maps for new housing developments based on the costs of different spatial design options.

He also conducts research into the behaviour of shrink‑swell clays and foundation damage. In this role, he coordinates multiple research strands and is laying the groundwork for a national shrink‑swell risk map for the Netherlands.

Otto has contributed to several interdisciplinary programmes, including the Dutch national groundwater study, various sub‑programmes within the Delta Programme, and international studies in Azerbaijan, New Orleans and Suriname. His work often involves climate impact analyses, map development, and making data and information accessible through tools such as GIS portals.