Resilient coastal developments & structures
Coastal zones worldwide face pressure of sea-level rise and changes to natural hazards. At the same time, human demands and services that are dependent on coastal zones are increasing, such as linked to transportation, flood safety and recreation, all while maintaining natural and ecological value. Coastal developments and structures are needed to accommodate and facilitate these trends and needs. These should however be resilient and implemented sustainably. Deltares’ approach in supporting the implementation of such developments is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of coastal dynamics, the environmental risks present, and the impact of human activity, such as coastal projects and structures.
How do you make sure your land reclamation stays in place with the least possible impact on the environment? How do you create or maintain a beach that is optimized in terms of safety, nature, and recreation? How do you minimize sedimentation issues in ports or erosion of the coast or a river? Deltares maps the effects of existing and new infrastructure such as breakwaters, dams, and land reclamations, so that project developers, port authorities, governments, consultants, and contractors can make better choices for their design, construction, management and maintenance. We look at whether we can create new opportunities for nature, economy, or recreation in the area. We look far ahead and include sea level rise, climate change, as well as population and economic growth.
At Deltares, we are committed to enabling sustainable and climate resilient coastal developments and infrastructure. This is how we ensure the longevity and minimal environmental impact in coastal developments and infrastructure projects:
- System Understanding: We begin by obtaining a holistic understanding of the current coastal system, the natural hazards, and impact of existing coastal projects and structures. This includes studying hydrodynamics, waves, and sediment transport, supported by numerical modelling and data analyses if needed.
- Optimization: We strive for optimization in every project, seeking ways to enhance and balance safety, nature-inclusivity, and recreation.
- Impact Assessment: Our team conducts thorough impact assessments using state-of-the-art tools like Delft3D, XBeach, Unibest, ShorelineS and remote sensing. We evaluate the potential effects of infrastructure on the current coastal system.
- Mitigation/Adaptation Measures: We implement mitigation and adaptation measures, including Nature-based Solutions (NbS), to reduce the adverse effects of infrastructure on the environment and adapt to changing conditions.
Deltares has a broad range of in-house expertise related to water, subsoil, and infrastructure, and is able to create multi-disciplinary project teams based on the technical challenges that are part of a resilient coastal development project, allowing us to support our clients in such multi-disciplinary projects in a highly effective and tailored manner.
For more detailed information on our methodologies and projects, please visit our subpages on morphological impact of coastal developments, land reclamations & beach design, port sediment management and nature-based solutions.
