Nature-based protective dikes to flooding - planning, construction and maintenance

Purpose and goal:

The objective is to develop capacity and experience to strengthen Sweden´s competitiveness within planning, construction and management of nature-based protection dikes against floods and sea level rise and thus the resilience of coastal built areas. Nature-based flood protection solutions are in demand by public authorities with responsibility for flood protection in Sweden, EU and globally.

As nature-based dikes are an untested, innovative solution, the project will contribute to provide Swedish suppliers of the solutions with an advantage to international competitors. Expected results and effects: The project is foreseen to result in:

1) Four prototype flood protection dike are constructed in four different habitats on Falsterbonäset peninsula in Vellinge municipality. Each prototype is built with a dike length of 10 meters and a height of up to 2 meters; 2) competence relevant to the planning, construction and management of nature-based dikes.

The competence will give rise to improved guidance on nature-based dikes in Sweden and abroad. This is in the longer term expected to reduce the environmental impact of climate adaptation measures in coastal communities. Approach and implementation: During the time period Q1 2022-Q4 2023, the project is expected to:

1) Validate four prototypes of nature-based flood protection dikes that strengthen resilience in coastal built areas and its natural values and societal benefits;

2) Establish vegetation on the four prototypes and evaluate its resistance to erosion, natural values and management strategies;

3) Develop guidelines and manuals for coastal climate adaptation relevant for responsible Swedish and international authorities 4) Establish a supplier collaboration on product development and dissemination of results