A dynamic approach encouraging a resilient coastline offers better prospects than continually raising the dikes. The role of IVM in the project was to identify possible spatial alliances between economy and ecology. The aim of the project was to start a discussion on coastal defence, nature development, economic opportunities, physical planning and identification of win-win possibilities among these aspects. Functions of coastal zones Coastal zones provide many functions for humans and for nature. The availability or storage of fresh water is essential for coastal ecosystems as well as for agriculture and drinking water supply.
Dune formation secures a reliable natural defence against the influence of the sea.
Interactions between land and water enable coasts to provide excellent opportunities for economic development. Until now, the Dutch defended their land by building high dikes and nourishing beaches on the North Sea coast. This approach is now being reconsidered. The expected sea level rise in combination with land subsidence requires higher and higher dikes and more powerful pumping stations. However, this can only be a temporary solution, because the rigid defences of this kind will further upset the water, sediment and salt balance in the Netherlands' most valuable ecosystems.