Can sandy Nature-based solutions protect the Flemish coast against 3m sea level rise?
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2024
Authors:
A. Bolle, B. Verheyen, N. Van Caster, A. Volckaert and F. Hauquier
Abstract
The climate is changing, and sea level is rising and threatening the future welfare in our coastal areas. To make sure that our grandchildren's children can also enjoy our coast, the Flemish Government is developing the strategic policy plan Coastal Vision. Coastal Vision builds on the Master Plan for Coastal Safety, currently in place, and looks further to keep protecting our coast, also with increased sea level rise. Coastal Vision offers an approach that is future-proof and protects our coast and hinterland for at least another 100 years. Our focus: sustainably preserving and improving the coast and its character. In this way, Coastal Vision becomes our insurance for the future welfare. Coastal Vision has been shaped during a co-creation journey. First the possible alternatives to protect our coast in the long term were determined, modelled, and visualised. For each alternative, the space required for the future coastal protection measures was investigated, together with the environmental and socio-economic effects. The potential of sandy and Nature-based solutions (NbS) as coastal protection measures was examined for each alternative. Also required future sand volumes were compared to available sand resources, and alternatives were continuously further optimized throughout the co-creation trajectory, in close cooperation with a large group of engaged stakeholders from different sectors. This paper describes the outcomes of this research and design process, specifically focusing on the potential of sandy NbS to protect the Flemish coast against 3m sea level rise.
Keywords: Nature-based Solutions, Adaptive Coastal Zone Management, Coastal Protection, Sea level rise, Coastal Vision