The Flemish coast is intensively used by many actors, embracing coastal towns, commercial ports connected to industrial areas, leisure marinas and touristic activities. It is exposed to flooding due to storm events and sea level rise. In 2007, the Flemish Government, after a safety test revealing an insufficient protection of the coast, started the elaboration of an Integrated Master Plan for Coastal Safety that was finally approved in June 2011. The Master Plan aims to improve the protection of the Flemish coastline from the effects of severe storms (up to 1,000 years of return period, corresponding to a probability of occurrence of such a storm of 0.1% in a year) and sea level rise (+30 cm) by 2050. Longer term vision for the coast, considering the new challenges posed by climate change and updated projections of sea level rise, is now formulated within the project “Kustvisie” (Coastal Vision) launched in 2017. It aimed at protecting the coast even beyond 2050.

Green (beach and foreshore nourishment) and grey (storm walls, dikes, storm surge barriers) measures are included in the Plan that also provides a vision for an overall sustainable development of the coastal area. Measures aimed to increase coastal safety are integrated with measures enhancing fruition of the area for recreational activities. Works started in 2011 and are still ongoing. Progressive evaluations of the effect of the implemented measures are performed on a six-years basis. They revealed  that the level of protection has sharply risen in all the areas where all planned measures have been implemented. In some other locations, where measures are not yet or not fully implemented or require constant nourishment, safety levels are not fully achieved. During the elaboration and implementation of the Master Plan, particular attention was given to stakeholder participation. A wide communication effort has been put in place, also through a dedicated website. It provides information on specific measures planned and on the relative work progress.