Rotterdam has the first full-scale water square in the world. An attractive square, just outside the city centre, that helps Rotterdam keep its feet dry. When it’s dry, the square offers nice spots for basketball and skating. During heavy rainfall, the square’s basins retain water from the square and the surrounding rooftops, at approximately 1.7 million litres (some 449,000 US gallons). This water is retained, keeping it away from the sewage system, preventing urban floods. This way, the square helps Rotterdam keep its feet dry while showers become more intensive.