It is about time: experts come up with a vision to protect the coast against sea level rise

In the worst-case scenario, the sea level may even rise by up to 3 metres. That is why the Flemish government is now preparing the coastal vision, a kind of protection plan for the next 100 years. Tonight there is a first information moment in Koksijde.

“All of us don’t know what to expect or when. What we need is certainty, a weapon against that sea level rise,” says Alexander D’Hooghe, Hoogtij(d) expert team.

Gradual adjustment

Experts have been considering all kinds of alternatives for protecting the coast against extremely high water levels for quite some time now. This mainly concerns beaches, dunes and dykes that are more resistant to more high water.

“By reclaiming a piece of land from the sea, we can fit in wider dykes and dunes perfectly. This will be done very gradually. We are looking 100 years into the future. It is not the case that we have to raise the entire coast in 1 or 2 years.” says project leader Edward Van Keer.

“Do not panic”

Above all, the government does not want to panic. No more terms like 1000-year storm and flood risk.

By 2025, the Flemish government must finalize the Coastal Vision policy plan.