From resistance to coexistence

Towards a more integrated coastal defence system in city of Ostend by adapting nature-based solutions

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

C. Liu Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

F.L. Hooimeijer Environmental Technology and Design - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
B. Hausleitner OLD Urban Compositions (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2019 Chang Liu
Storm surge Nature-based solutions Coastal urbanization Coastal defence
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Published Date

02-07-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Belgian coastal area is one of the densest areas in the world, facing strom surge risks due to the climate change. However, the current coastal defence system in Belgium is engineering-based defence line, blocking the dynamic relation between sea and urban, causing larger risks in the future. On the other hand, Nature-based solutions are hard to apply to the high-density urban area due to the limited space and time scope. This project aims to create a more adapted nature-based coastal defence system in city centre of Ostend (the densest city along Belgian coast- line). The main idea is not only focusing on reducing the probability of the risks, but also considering the impacts, which means not putting the whole defence responsibility to the coastline, the nearshore area can help for the mit- igation and the city itself can also be more resilient by multilayer buffering system. The different interventions on three sides are also linked to each other to enlarge the beneficial scope. By doing so, the sea side, the coast and the urban can work together to create a new coastal defence system, rebuilding the dynamic relation between land and sea, reducing the risks, as well as benefiting nature restoration, public life, urban social and spatial resiliency.