Integrated Coastal and River Basin Management
The Netherlands, with its three major rivers and 523 kilometres of coastline, is a leader in coastal and river basin management.
As a low-lying delta, the country has centuries of experience living with water, making it vulnerable to flooding and sea-level rise.
Today’s water challenges call for cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
The Dutch water sector invites collaboration to find solutions for a changing world, having learned from severe floods in 1953 and rivers flooding in the 1990s.
Dutch expertise now focuses on ecosystem-based solutions, integrating governance, stakeholder participation, and sustainable water management, shifting from a 'fight against water' to 'building with nature' approach.
Author's summary: Netherlands leads in coastal management.