Water as Leverage - Wadden Sea Region

Water as Leverage for Climate Adaptation: Wadden Sea Region
Terschelling
Call for Action
Harmonising the
different objectives
through a natureinclusive
vision
1. In need of a long term vision
A long term vision on the village,
harbour and transport of people
and goods is needed. The regional
vision is needed for the further
development and densification of
West-Terschelling wherein the water
issues are linked to the challenge
of providing affordable starter
homes. There are plans to build
135 homes with extra attention
for affordable homes for starters
because the housing prices on
the island are increasing. This new
densification should be developed
in an integral way, which may
involve disconnecting the rainwater
discharge, providing maximum
rainwater collection, applying
sufficient infiltration or adapting to
sea level rise. Although high water
protection is the most urgent issue,
we also need to think about selfsufficiency
in freshwater, building
materials or renewable energy. There
is a need for a regional vision that
uses the water problematics as a
leverage for the different challenges
of Terschelling.
Important actors that should be
included are the municipality, the
province, ‘Rijkwaterstaat’ and SOS-
Terschelling. SOS-Terschelling is
a local organisation forming the
voice of many residents. Since the
design of the harbourfront has a
major impact on the experience of
the Wadden Sea for the residents
and the visitors, it is crucial that they
are sufficiently involved and can
participate in the redesign.
2. A future proof design for the
harbour
Terschelling already has a redesign
of the harbourfront on the table,
but the challenge of providing flood
protection that is viable in the long
term is not adequately addressed.
The project team needs to work with
the existing design and propose a
feasible and integrated project where
a static wall is replaced by a natureinclusive
process that provides longterm
protection.
3. Creating solutions to work on
climate adaptation in Natura2000
areas
Terschelling strives towards an
integrated plan, including nature
improvement. This can be done both
on the island, in the harbour and
fairways in the Wadden Sea. Working
with nature based solutions needs to
be a cornerstone in the approach.
Nature based solutions are
specifically needed to deal with
the areas under the protection
of Natura2000. The principle of
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Terschelling