COAST CRAFT

The COASTCRAFT project brings together local and regional authorities and coastal agencies on 5 European seas. They work together to develop more creative and smarter tactics for coastal development. By elaborating on the ambitions of the EU Cohesion policy, Integrated Maritime Policy, New European Bauhaus and European Green Deal and jointly taking up the challenge of creating smart and creative tactics in coastal regions, we contribute to steering the EU towards a climate resilient society by 2050 with more resilient and vital coastal communities.

The economic and demographic importance of the European coastal zone – 500 million Europeans live and work there – is enormous. Coastal partners need to think more creatively and smarter about our coastal landscape in 100 years. Our coasts do not stand still and in isolation, but are part of a larger dynamic of policy ambitions on the short term and the (long term) impact off sealevel rise. In contemporary coastal development, two policy practices can be discerned: (1) first come, first served. With which short-term ambitions leave long-term opportunities unused. (2) Long-term coastal safety prevails, with which spatial and economic opportunities do not develop in the short term. In view of the increasing impact of sea level rise, this practice requires a change in the thinking and tactics focused to develop the coast in a more sustainable, inclusive and future-proof way. Partly because, in addition to rising sea levels, salinization, drought and heavy rainfall are also consequences of climate change that severely affect coastal regions.

The COASTCRAFT partners strive to develop more sustainable, inclusive and innovative tactics as a blueprint for European coasts in the coming century. The focus is on applying and further developing innovative digital resources for coastal themes. The broad diversity on and off our European coasts and our proud coastal communities make it valuable to collaborate across borders.