The New Hondsbossche Dunes

The construction of the New Hondsbossche Dunes adds a contemporary twist to the rich history of coastal protection and water management in the Netherlands. The New Hondsbossche Dunes are therefore a valuable case study for illustrating the success of sand nourishment as a coastal engineering measure in the Netherlands and its potential application in other coastal areas. The design of the New Hondsbossche Dunes is underpinned by various design principles: Safety is the principle objective for the construction of a sandy coastal defense system, a systems approach must be utilized that follows the principles of "building with nature." In 2007, the Cabinet appointed the Sustainable Coastal Development Committee, a "new" Delta Committee mandated to formulate a vision on the long-term protection of the Dutch coast and its hinterland. West 8's design vision is based on the premise that it is possible to construct a safe and sustainable coastal landscape by utilizing the powerful, dynamic processes that dominate the coastal environment.