Exploring the impact of coastal development on the societal and ecological system using a stakeholder framework

Abstract

Throughout human history deltas attract people and all other sorts of life. Inherent to this increase of delta life is the growth in conflicting values and interests. Coastal systems are not only natural systems, but can also be regarded as societal and ecological systems. Development of the coastal system inevitably leads to changes in these associated societal and ecological systems. Hence, a coast is not only defined by its physical characteristics, but it can also be defined by means of values and interests. The mouth of the Haringvliet in the Southwest of the Netherlands is a striking example where coastal evolution has its impact on societal and ecological systems. Here, a multitude of anthropogenic interferences triggered a regime shift of the coastal system. While continuously developing towards a new equilibrium, coastal evolution has its impact on societal and ecological systems. When it comes to coastal management it is of vital importance to link the changes in the coastal system with values and interest to understand what impact coastal evolution has had and will continue to have on these systems. Applied to the Voorne case, this study demonstrates that it is possible to link the stakeholders values and interests to the physical coastal processes making use of a framework for analysis.