Stakeholder workshop in Zeeland

Stakeholder workshop in Zeeland

Workshop on multifunctional sand nourishments in Zeeland: cooperation for a resilient coast

The inspiring workshop on multifunctional sand nourishments brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the future of Zeeland’s coast. Participants, including representatives from local governments, recreational businesses and researchers from the SOURCE project, dived deep into current challenges such as sea level rise, storms and the intensive use of beaches and dunes.

The unique stories of recreational businesses provided a valuable local perspective. They shared how increasingly narrowing beaches and emerging dune formation have direct implications for recreation and accessibility. For example, one pavilion owner emphasized the growing need for more frequent sand nourishment and also how narrow beaches affect visitor accessibility and safety. The Stichting Strandexploitatie Veere pointed out the high recreational value of wide beaches and their economic impact both locally and nationally.

The workshop also discussed the unique approach of local governments within the Recreational Sand Fund. Pilots are underway in Domburg and Cadzand to better align sand nourishment with recreational needs. Through cooperation with Rijkswaterstaat the execution window for nourishments has been shortened, so that sand is applied at the right time – just before the recreational season. In Cadzand, we are also experimenting with a reserve sand depot on the beach in addition to regular nourishment. This provides additional flexibility and makes it possible to respond immediately to changes in beach width. These innovative approaches underscore the importance of cooperation between governments, businesses and knowledge institutions to keep Zeeland’s beaches attractive and futureproof.

With these valuable insights, partners are working further to develop strategies that are not only ecologically and socially valuable, but also connect to local needs and economic realities. Together we are taking a step closer to a futureproof and sustainable coast!

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New researcher: Laura Piedelobo Martín

New researcher: Laura Piedelobo Martín

Our second researcher has started at the HZ University of Applied Sciences. Welcome, Laura Piedelobo!

Laura introduces herself below.

“I am Laura Piedelobo, a civil engineer with a PhD in satellite remote sensing for water and land use management. I’ve recently joined the Building with Nature research group at HZ University of Applied Sciences as a senior researcher. With a strong background in satellite remote sensing and GIS, I’m excited to apply advanced monitoring techniques to develop nature-based solutions that enhance coastal resilience, while fostering both ecological and socio-economic benefits.

In the SOURCE project, I will collaborate closely with colleagues from various disciplines, combining their expertise with my GIS skills to design public participatory GIS (PPGIS) surveys. This approach will allow us to map and assess spatial quality from the perspective of coastal communities, ensuring that the co-created sand nourishment strategies are deeply informed by both scientific insight and local knowledge.

By capturing and mapping communities’ perspectives on spatial quality, I aim to support the design and evaluation of resilient and multifunctional coastal landscapes that align with stakeholder needs and environmental goals.”

 

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Merlijn Hulsenboom started her PhD research

Merlijn Hulsenboom started her PhD research

A new PhD student first has started at the Wageningen University. Welcome, Merlijn Hulsenboom!

Merlijn introduces herself below.

“Hi, I’m Merlijn Hulsenboom and I am a Marine Ecologist. As a child, I was already regularly found at the beaches and now I’m able to study and protect them! Within the SOURCE project, I’m studying how we can shape shoreface nourishments to optimize biodiversity. Whilst nourishments are primarily designed to protect our coast, I’m eager to find out in which way we can also protect the coastal organisms by minimizing the negative effects.

What’s exciting about this project is that we can study the impact of different types of nourishments close-by. By comparing the biodiversity of benthic (living in or on the sediment) animals before and after the separate scenarios, we can understand in which way the placement, grain size and height of nourishment impact these communities. I’m curious to find out how these species respond to the different altered habitats how this may affect predators such as fish and birds.”

 

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Welcome, Erfan Poursoleymanzadeh

Welcome, Erfan Poursoleymanzadeh

PhD researcher Erfan Poursoleymanzadeh has started at the University of Twente!

Erfan introduces himself below.

“I am Erfan, currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Twente as part of the SOURCE project. My research centers on coastal morphology and sediment transport, with a focus on improving nourishment strategies for the Dutch coastline. Specifically, I am investigating the role of grain size in coastal erosion processes, aiming to provide insights that will inform more sustainable coastal management practices.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Tabriz University in Iran and a Master’s degree from Politecnico di Milano in Italy, where I specialized in risk mitigation in civil engineering. My Master’s thesis focused on sediment transport in rivers and its contribution to flood risk, and I am now applying my expertise to coastal environments, contributing to the development of innovative solutions for coastal resilience.

Recently relocated to Enschede, I look forward to collaborating with colleagues and contributing to the SOURCE project’s mission of advancing coastal nourishment, and sustainability.”

 

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New researcher: Yara Maljers

New researcher: Yara Maljers

Our first researcher has started at the HZ University of Applied Sciences. Welcome, Yara Maljers!

Yara introduces herself below.

“My name is Yara Maljers. As part of the HZ research group Building with Nature, I work as a cultural anthropologist. Our team does research on developments within the domain of Nature-based Solutions.

My main focus is the impact of technological and ecological measures in coastal zones on society. More specifically for SOURCE I question: What can scientists and stakeholders learn from local knowledge and the communities’ unique perspective on spatial quality?

As an anthropologist, my research methods are mainly qualitative, a rare but valuable contribution within this type of projects. I will focus on one coastal community in the Living Lab in Zeeland and go in-depth to find out how we can co-produce knowledge useful for sand nourishment strategies. This knowledge will be compared to another coastal community on the Belgium coast or the Holland coast.”

 

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Official project start

Official project start

Photo by: Rijkswaterstaat, taken from: https://www.strandweer.nu

On 1 February 2024 the SOURCE project officially started. We are excited and looking forward to the next 6 years of research!

With many researchers, organizations and other stakeholders we are going to learn more about the usefulness of sand nourishments in preserving our beautiful coast.

Visit this website on a regular basis and stay tuned!

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