BEACH FILLS IN EUROPE - PROJECTS, PRACTICES, AND OBJECTIVES

The beach fill situation in five European countries is highlighted and discussed with respect to the general situation, project type and objectives, design and evaluation procedures, legal framework, and financial aspects. As expected, significant differences were found between the investigated countries. In general, the study shows that it would be very profitable for south European countries to learn about the Dutch and German practices, particularly regarding the long-term coastal management and the regular monitoring of the coastal morphology. On the other hand, recent Dutch experience has shown that their legal system is a bit too rigid leading to automatic local renourishments that are unnecessary to reach the global objective.