Within the Zuidwestelijke Delta, the Western Scheldt estuarine environment is challenged by accelerated sea level rise and land use changes. Public authorities in the Netherlands and Belgium are exploring alternative Nature-based Solutions (e.g. dike realignment) to strengthen coastal protection of the estuarine landscape. However, a more evidenced base is needed to be potentially recognized as alternative solutions to grey infrastructure. It is still unclear how to translate the lessons learned from NbS pilot projects into strategic local and regional planning. In this pilot, HZ University of Applied Sciences aims to address this knowledge gap by learning from existing managed realignments sites, also considered NbS. The goal of the pilot is to determine the socio-ecological-technical feasibility of three managed realignment sites (Hedwige, Perkpolder and Zwin) as well as the barriers or enablers for mainstreaming lessons learned in the coastal strategies of the Western Scheldt estuary.
