Sea level neutral landscapes
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
As sea level rises, coastal regions will change. How to decide what can be protected and what is to change? The European strategy for coastal regions will propose a design toolbox, to be adopted locally, and make sure that coastal regions remain cohesive, in different sea level change scenarios.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
Rising sea levels pose a new challenge for space cohesion across the European coastal regions. The effects may vary, but a shared European strategy could provide essential tools to help designing adaptive landscapes, where human activities and natural ecosystems evolve. Firstly, a new category in land use management can be created in all coastal member states, about sea level rise vulnerability. Secondly, landscape design proposals can be implemented, using the adequate design tools, as proposed on the common vision for coastal regions.
Key objectives for sustainability
Sea level rise poses new risks for coastal ecosystems, with biodiversity under threat. To minimize such environmental hazards, the European strategy for coastal regions could propose sediment fixation techniques. Species migration could also be encouraged, in places hard-hit by coastal flooding. The integrity of such landscapes could be preserved where it is possible, but change might be necessary in some cases, in a dynamic, never-ending process.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Sea level neutral landscapes are about environmental awareness. As people walk in, new questions arise about future possibilities with surging seas. Moreover, cultural heritage built structures irreversibly hit by coastal flooding should be structurally reinforced, then adapted to landscape observation points.
More than preserving site integrity, sea level neutral landscapes are about recreating lively places, that people have access to. Sea level rise poses new challenges, raising new questions about the boundaries of human-made spaces. For this reason, the European strategy for coastal regions could propose that built structures of cultural interest, irreversibly afected by sea level rise, are converted to landscape observation points, with raised paths. In some cases, pedestrian routes can be submerged by high tides, showcasing the beauty of ephemeral landscapes.
Key objectives for inclusion
Designing a common strategy for European coastlines means that cohesion can be achieved, even with different sea level change projections. Conceiving design guidelines for surging sea levels can be an opportunity to involve the academic community. Moreover, creating climate neutral landscapes aim at creating lively places, accessible for any person.
Innovative character
Different research teams, in different fields of knowledge, have been proposing adaptive designs for sea level change. Several member states have legislated sea level change adaptation. However, no common strategy in the European Union has been adopted so far. It is time to decide if sea level rise should be addresded by member states only, or if cooperation will show the way to cohesive coastal regions across the European Union.
