The aim of the project is to increase future safety of coastal areas by strengthening the inner slope of the coastal defences and at the same time improving the flood retention capacity of the hinterland areas. The project work has been divided into six work pack-ages related to reconnaissance of the spatial potentials of the hinterland areas, performance of a socio-economic evaluation of the wetlands, providing a variety of technical solutions for strengthening of the defences; implementing participatory actions; and conducting pilot projects which will be fed from the results from the rest of the WPs.

Comcoast is aimed at replacing the current flood-retaining line element with a flood-retaining zone. The project envisages four pilot projects, and the results of the project will be extensively disseminated. The focus is not only on embankments: their hinterlands will be re-allocated in attractive and innovative ways. In short, the project deals with the identification and understanding of the social, economical and technical opportunities and constraints in innovative coastal risk.

Expected Outcomes

Primary coastal defences will be adapted to accommodate an increased amount of wave overtopping or overflow in four pilot project areas. The defence zone, the hinterland, will be adapted to societal needs, e.g. recreation areas or habitats with more wet and natural conditions. The pilot projects will both require and produce in-depth technical knowledge, which will then be disseminated within and outside the project.

Activities

Four Work Packages will gather knowledge and expertise for COMCOAST. These will consist of spatial reconnaissance, socio-economic evaluation and technical reconnaissance; participatory action will be secured as well. The outcomes of these four Work Packages will then be applied in four pilot projects (two in Zeeland, one in Groningen, one in Essex). In the three Dutch pilot projects, embankments will be physically adapted to allow safe wave overtopping or overflow. Most importantly, this means strengthening the inner slope and crest. In Essex, the primary embankment has been abandoned in the past, and the resulting situation will be surveyed. Here, an education centre will be set up. In a final Work Package the resulting knowledge will be disseminated, e.g. by transnational excursions to the pilot projects and demonstration activities. An exchange of knowledge with other INTERREG projects will take place as well.

Reported Outcomes

ComCoast (Combined Functions in Coastal Defence Zones) has carried out pilot activities combining different forms of land use to allow a certain level of flooding in order to avoid severe damage. Due to sea level rise North Sea countries need to take measures. Traditional solution is higher dikes. ComCoast is looking for alternatives. Combining safety and other land use in the coastal zone, creating multifunctional flood defence zones. Creating benefits for the wider community and the environment. ComCoast aims to: - identify suitable locations - evaluate wider socio-economic benefits - develop innovative technical solutions - influence current public participation techniques - apply new approaches at pilot sites - share knowledge Analysis and studies have been arranged per country for practical reasons, while national reports are to be integrated towards an overall transnational report for that particular subject.