Storm surge barriers, a critical component of the Dutch Delta Works, faces growing operational challenges due to climate-induced sea-level rise and increased storm intensity. These developments are expected to lead to significantly more frequent closures, creating not only ecological and economic strain, but also maintenance and societal tensions. While the technical and environmental consequences of these closures are well documented, the question of societal tolerance remains under-explored. This research addresses that gap by investigating how societal tolerance can be assessed and integrated into the governance of storm surge barriers, using the Eastern Scheldt as a case study. The Social Licence to Operate (SLO) framework, originally developed in the extractive industries, is adapted to conceptualise public acceptance as a dynamic, multi-level condition. Key drivers of societal tolerance, including trust, risk perception, ecological dependency, and communication, were identified through academic literature and 15 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from aquaculture, recreation, governmental, and environmental organisations. Findings reveal that stakeholder tolerance is highly sector-specific and shaped by governance strategies. Aquaculture actors express low tolerance, bordering on withdrawal, while environmental NGOs offer conditional acceptance based on ecological commitments. A conceptual framework is developed around four boundary conditions:knowledge, legitimacy, credibility, and trust, each linked to stakeholder positioning and actionable policy levers. The study offers both a theoretical extension of the SLO-framework and practical guidance for infrastructure governance. Recommendations include implementing a tolerance monitoring dashboard, embedding ecological thresholds into operational planning, and fostering long-term participatory engagement. Ultimately, the research promotes a shift from reactive to anticipatory governance, positioning societal tolerance as a critical parameter in sustainable asset management.

The Mekong Delta in Vietnam, one of the world’s most fertile and ecologically rich deltas, faces environmental challenges that threaten its biodiversity and local communities. Historically, the delta’s extensive mangrove forests provided natural coastal protection, but in recent decades, agricultural expansion, aquaculture, and infrastructure developments have degraded these ecosystems.
This research focuses on Bac Liêu, a region acutely affected by these changes. With diminishing mangrove buffers, local vulnerabilities to environmental hazards have increased, putting pressure on sea defenses. In response, the Dutch government and Vietnamese partners have introduced the “Mekong Living Lab,” an initiative for in-field research that promotes mangrove restoration and sustainable coastal management.
Conducted by TU Delft students, this study contributes to the Living Lab’s goals by exploring the causes of mangrove decline in Bac Liêu. Combining interviews with local residents and field data on coastal profiles, this multidisciplinary approach seeks to safeguard the ecological and economic future of the Mekong Delta.
The study suggests an integrated approach within the Living Lab framework, emphasizing research, showcasing, and education to bridge hydraulic, ecological, and socio-economic perspectives. Priority recommendations include continuous cross-sectional measurements, sediment retention analysis, stakeholder engagement strategies, and further interdisciplinary studies on mangrove viability. These initiatives aim to align technical insights with stakeholder needs, advancing observation-driven solutions for Bac Liêu’s mangrove ecosystems.