REDESIGNING FLOODSCAPES. Integrated Flood Defence Infrastructures towards a sustainable and adaptive approach within the land and seascapes of Harlingen, NL

Coastal regions are a transition zone between land and sea movements. It is exposed to many disasters such as floods because it is a transition zone. In the absence of co-relation between urban development and flood defense systems, it has led to separation in cities. This thesis works on studying nature-based solutions as an integrated flood defense system for the shrinkage of urban developments. This research aims to create a more nature-based flood defense system in the city of Harlingen, using the city center as a pilot area. The main idea is not only to solve the flood risks and shrinkage risks but also to think the city is much more efficient in an economical way and responsible for the coastline, the transition zone area can actually help for the adaptivity and the city itself can also be more resilient. The first part of the thesis analyzes the current situation of coastal areas and which kind of solutions had been made since today. Then it continues on what kind of problems are faced by climate change effects. Secondly, based on the literature review, nature-based solutions were applied to this research area. According to that, the thesis is arguing that coastal areas specifically being threatened by flood risk and shrinkage risk are the key problems to solve with nature-based solutions. The final part examines the application of all principle methods as a tool to integrate the overall evaluation. The thesis outlines that applying nature-based solutions in coastal areas which has both at risk of flooding and shrinkage, offers a new outlook on the future research. Key Words: Nature-Based Solutions, flood defense system, Ecosystem-Based Services, Coastal Regions