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THE FLEMISH COASTAL VISION
We see how our climate is changing. An increase in greenhouse gases is warming the atmosphere. Seas and oceans are expanding and ice sheets are melting. This is resulting in rising sea levels. The Flemish Coastal Vision contains measures for the long-term protection of our coast and hinterland from this sea level rise. To that end, we are also looking for cross-border collaborations. Because climate change is a problem that affects us all.
Objectives
Belgium has 67 kilometres of coast. This coastline is already being protected from storms by beaches, dunes and dykes. But the current level of protection will not be able to cope with future sea level rise. That is why the Flemish government is carrying out works to protect the coast from a sea level rise of 30 centimetres (compared to 2000) by 2050, through the Coastal Safety Master Plan.
The central objective of the Coastal Vision is to protect the coast from rising sea levels beyond 2050. It thus complements the measures set out in the Coastal Safety Master Plan. The focus is on:
• Safeguarding existing coastal functions and activities as much as possible
• Adaptive coastal protection that maintains safety levels and extends infrastructure life
• Innovative research according to 3 scenarios: sea levels rising up to 1 metre, up to 2 metres and up to 3 metres
Innovation trumps: Living Lab Raversijde
With the Living Lab Raversijde, we want to gain more insight into the processes of wave overtopping and force. For this, we built an artificial test dyke measuring 20 by 20 metres, strategically placed between low and high tide. We will now spend 7 years mapping the impact of nature on our infrastructure. That data will subsequently form the basis for strategies and investments to make our coastal protection even more efficient.
Together we are stronger
Climate change and the associated rising sea level are global problems. By sharing expertise between regions, we can tackle them together. To that end, we are looking for partners who want to help think about innovative solutions. This will allow us to realise a Coastal Vision that takes climate change and further sea level rise assessments into account.
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