The Polder van Lier, established by royal decree in 1960, is one of the smallest polders in Flanders (156 hectares) and is situated between the Beneden-Nete, the border of the municipality of Duffel and the N14 (Lier-Mechelen).
Partly due to the numerous floods, the area used to be known as a 'water kot'. Many residents of the Mechelsepoort district, and in particular farmers and horticulturists, suffered serious damage as a result. In the past, the task of a polder board consisted mainly of water management in order to promote active agriculture and horticulture. Several hydraulic engineering works, such as the construction of flood control areas on the Beneden-Nete, downstream Lier, significantly limited the risk of flooding.
Today, in addition to water management, the polder also has a landscape management task. The valuable Nete valley has an important role as a green area in the suburbs with a secondary function for tourism, recreation and water storage. The area of the Lower Nete is also popularly called Pallieterland.
(Source: Lier.be)