In the regional and rural designs of the office, the current societal challenges play a prominent role. The rural area is under increasing pressure, caused in part by the impact of bio-industry, the changing climate and extensive urbanization and petrification. Biodiversity and natural values are decreasing rapidly; intensive land use and drainage lead to structural desiccation, soil subsidence, salinization and flooding during peak rainfall.

Through research by design, integrated solutions are sought for these challenging issues. Starting from a study of the specific landscape qualities, or the "genius loci" of a place, principles are formulated for planning, whereby these qualities are retained and strengthened and, in addition, new and contemporary programs are added.

MTD works, among other tasks, on large-scale water solutions in which safety and nature development are paramount, solutions for sustainable and nature-inclusive agricultural land use such as landscape construction, nature construction, circular agriculture and recreational shared use.

Ancient use of landscape design
Basing a design on the specific landscape qualities is not a new approach. In times when the technical possibilities were not unlimited, the possibilities and impossibilities of the landscape determined the occupation of man for many centuries. Occupation took place where groundwater was accessible and where there was no risk of flooding; fields were laid on transitions from high to low, where the soil was sufficiently fertile and moist; the possibilities lay in the limitations of the landscape. The relationship between natural and cultural processes determined the nature and appearance of the landscape; of our living environment.

Such an approach produces plans that meet the need for identity and location, but also meet the objectives of sustainability and climate adaptation.