Environmental sustainability of coastal areas and building-with-nature, 10 years of experience in a Dutch nature compensation project

Abstract

The paper discusses 10 years of experience with a unique dune compensation project at the Dutch coast (total project duration 20 years). The compensation was needed because a large extension of Rotterdam harbor would damage two high-quality dune ecosystems nearby. EU legislation obliged to compensate these two ecosystems. The compensation area was constructed and developed according to the principles of Building-with-Nature.
The use of local natural materials and processes and a minimum of human interference is a leading principle. Careful monitoring is done for evaluation. However, over time some important human interferences were necessary to stay ‘en route’ and to reach the two compensation targets. The management measures and their results are discussed. The insights gained and their importance for environmental sustainability of coastal areas in general, are given.