Coastal beach-dune systems worldwide are under increasing pressure from sea level rise and increasing urbanization. A lack of knowledge on the (long-term) impact of anthropogenic events on coastal dune development impacts our possibilities to manage these coastal systems.. The AdaptCoast project aims to develop new adaptive monitoring, analysis and modelling tools to obtain new knowledge and tools to assess the long term human induced impacts on beach dune systems.

Storm surge barriers are essential for the protection of the Netherlands against storm surges. However, due to sea level rise, aging of these impressive structures and changes in the environment, the question is how long they will remain effective and functional. In the short term, decisions will have to be made about maintenance, while in the long term, adjustment or replacement will have to be considered. In this project, we will therefore work together as knowledge institutions, Rijkswaterstaat, water boards and companies to investigate under what conditions the storm surge barriers can still keep the Netherlands safe and liveable.

The Netherlands Center for Coastal Research (NCK, https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nck-web.org/__;!!PAKc-5URQlI!_bS5dC2WO7AM5vcnQjtnZsXF9ecuyIKkNf6imCjsistl4QCC935M73OmbBteI328X-iBT8SPy5OkiYCWQwyL_ lD6Bg3rBw$ ) is a partnership of universities and government organizations and independent research institutes in the field of coastal research. For almost 30 years, the NCK has been encouraging interaction between coastal research groups within the Netherlands and abroad. NCK organizes an annual conference, where these NCK days increase knowledge exchange and encourage our youngest generation of coastal researchers to share knowledge and collaborate. The 2024 conference theme is Innovative science for a resilient coast.

Δ-ENIGMA: The Dutch Delta on the Intensive-Care monitor Deltas and coastal plains are attractive places to live: fertile, flat, open to the sea. These lowlands are, however, also vulnerable to climate-change and sea-level rise. To better predict how deltas develop in the future we need a thorough understanding of how organisms, currents, waves, water&sand discharge shape the delta-landscape. This so-called biogeomorphology lies at the heart of Δ-ENIGMA, which provides infrastructure for intensive observational and experimental research of the Dutch Delta. This will improve our ability to predict future development, and help us live on happily in a changing Delta.