6
1 The Coast
Fig. 1.3 The cross section of the Wadden Sea coast without any protective elements such as sea
walls or dikes. From left to right: the Wadden Sea as transition zone between the open sea and the
land consists of sand and mud flats intersected by tidal creeks. Salt marshes build the first manifestation of dry land, although the lower and the middle part of the salt marshes are regularly flooded by
tides. Tidal creeks penetrate undisturbed into the hinterland gravitationally draining the moraine and
peat areas. The morphological development of the Wadden Sea is driven by the tides, waves and the
currents. Natural dynamics of the transition zone would be that tidal flats and salt marshes grow up
with the sediment transport by, for example, an increasing sea level. Additionally, with an increasing
sea level the entire system of tidal flats, salt marshes and marshes will move land inward. Source:
adapted from Reise (2015). c
Urbane Landschaften
1.3.1 Coastal Protection
The first settlers had to fight against high tides as they were trying to build farm
houses in the low-lying coastal area. Animals sheltered on higher grounds against high
tides, also settlers built their houses on higher ground. This ground was heightened
continuously trying to cope with a rising sea level or with the water level of severe
storm tides. Subsequently, the area of influence (grazing area) should be enlarged and
an increasing amount of cattles has to be protected against high water levels. First
dikes were built to protect a greater area against flooding. This development (although
not smooth
3 ) went on and today there is a closed line of main dikes protecting the
hinterland.
Thus, coastal protection (defense) was one of the first interests and needs people started
with at low-lying coastal areas to protect themselves against high water levels from the
sea. It was a necessary consequence of settlement and the enlargement of the growing
economic wealth in low-lying coastal areas. The protection against storm tides is based on
a single line of defense (main dike) which is able to withstand a certain amount of physical
load imposed by tides, waves and currents. The successful effort of protecting people
3 See p. 63.
1 The Coast
Fig. 1.3 The cross section of the Wadden Sea coast without any protective elements such as sea
walls or dikes. From left to right: the Wadden Sea as transition zone between the open sea and the
land consists of sand and mud flats intersected by tidal creeks. Salt marshes build the first manifestation of dry land, although the lower and the middle part of the salt marshes are regularly flooded by
tides. Tidal creeks penetrate undisturbed into the hinterland gravitationally draining the moraine and
peat areas. The morphological development of the Wadden Sea is driven by the tides, waves and the
currents. Natural dynamics of the transition zone would be that tidal flats and salt marshes grow up
with the sediment transport by, for example, an increasing sea level. Additionally, with an increasing
sea level the entire system of tidal flats, salt marshes and marshes will move land inward. Source:
adapted from Reise (2015). c
Urbane Landschaften
1.3.1 Coastal Protection
The first settlers had to fight against high tides as they were trying to build farm
houses in the low-lying coastal area. Animals sheltered on higher grounds against high
tides, also settlers built their houses on higher ground. This ground was heightened
continuously trying to cope with a rising sea level or with the water level of severe
storm tides. Subsequently, the area of influence (grazing area) should be enlarged and
an increasing amount of cattles has to be protected against high water levels. First
dikes were built to protect a greater area against flooding. This development (although
not smooth
3 ) went on and today there is a closed line of main dikes protecting the
hinterland.
Thus, coastal protection (defense) was one of the first interests and needs people started
with at low-lying coastal areas to protect themselves against high water levels from the
sea. It was a necessary consequence of settlement and the enlargement of the growing
economic wealth in low-lying coastal areas. The protection against storm tides is based on
a single line of defense (main dike) which is able to withstand a certain amount of physical
load imposed by tides, waves and currents. The successful effort of protecting people
3 See p. 63.