The Socio-Cognitive Map of Dutch Coastal Defense Research: Report 2.
Coastal defense research in The Netherlands has a long history. The use of mathematical modeling and physical scale models at the beginning of the 20th century, introduced a more formal and systematic approach to knowledge development. Knowledge development came to be institutionalized in universities and public research institutes.
Large parts of the Netherlands lie below sea level. These areas can only be safely inhabited because man-made hydraulic engineering structures as well as natural coastal barriers such as dunes protect the hinterland against flooding. Coastal erosion, sea level rise, extreme weather events and an increase of wave impact due to climate change endanger the future integrity of our coastal defense structures. A thorough understanding of the properties and dynamic behavior of both artificial and natural coastal defense structures is highly important. The social relevance of coastal defense research in the Netherlands is beyond question
