Summary

Coastal zones are the most densely populated areas in the world and are vulnerable to extreme meteorological events like hurricanes, storm surges, tsunamis and climate change–induced sea level rise. Coasts are subject to constant change because of anthropogenic and natural variations in sea level, currents and wind waves, sediment supply, and so forth. The building of coastal defense and protection measures has also resulted in significant anthropogenic changes to the coast. Coasts are also affected by economic uses, including tourism, industrial activities (e.g., offshore wind farms), shipping, and fishing in coastal waters. This article discusses the regional technological adaptation of the coast, with a focus on the North Sea. The coastlines around the North Sea are, in many places, low lying, densely populated, and vulnerable to variations in sea level and coastal change. Worldwide, developments of coasts have been closely linked to climatic changes as mean sea level has increased and decreased over thousands of years. Around 2,000 years ago, people started to build the first coastal protection measures around the North Sea. A lot of different protection measures were developed, including dwelling mounds, groynes, dikes, polders, beach nourishment, and storm surge barriers. Land reclamation and storm surges shaped the Wadden Sea coast dramatically in the past. Globally, coasts and corresponding technological coastal adaptation measures are very diverse. Contrasting the previous technological “hard” coastal protection measures, in the 21st century nature-based solutions have become more attractive and are starting to be implemented more widely. Their natural contribution to coastal protection also provides an ecosystem service.