Reducing overtopping risks in Belgian coastal towns

A masterplan to strengthen weak links in the coastal defence line in Belgium was established and approved by the Flemish government in 2011 (Vlaamse Overheid, 2011). One of the measures outlined in this plan is to reduce the overtopping risk to Belgian coastal towns by introducing programs of beach nourishment and construction of wave return walls on top of existing seaside promenades. During extreme storm conditions a high, broad beach, maintained via beach nourishment, dissipates a large part of the incoming storm wave energy. The remaining wave energy reaching the coastal revetment is reflected back offshore by the wave return wall. Construction of a wave return wall on top of the seaside promenade can limit the impact of the overtopping risk to buildings and people living in coastal towns.