Preface
On 21-25 April, 1997 the First International Symposium on Large-Scale Constructions in Coastal Environments was held on the island of Norderney in Germany. The
Wadden Sea National Park Authorities in Lower Saxony initiated this symposium
which was inspired by the experience gained through the planning and implementation of the Norwegian State Oil Company, Statoil, natural gas pipeline landfall project, Europipe, during the period 1991-1995. The overall objective of the symposium
was to provide contributions to the resolution of the traditional conflict between the
need for economic development and the concerns for protection of the environment.
During the early planning, the scope of the symposium was extended to include
two other major coastal construction projects, in addition to the Europipe project,
namely the Danish/Swedish fixed link projects and the Dutch coastal protection
projects. Furthermore, an invitation was issued to potential participants to present
similar case studies or topics which would stimulate discussion within the areas of
environmental policy, economy, ethics or science.
The overall objective was achieved through the development of a number of specific recommendations prepared by all symposium participants in a joint effort. Several recommendations are of general application and thus not limited to coastal
construction projects. The main thrust of the recommendations was to stress the
need for development of integrated approaches to project planning and implementation. The importance of an open participatory process aimed at sustainable solutions
with due respect for the value of nature and the observance of ethical principles was
underlined. Cooperation between stakeholders rather than confrontation and conflict was highlighted as a necessary prerequisite.
The recommendations were officially handed over to representatives from the
Lower Saxony district government of Weser-Ems and from the three organisations,
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations Environmental
Program and Environment Northern Seas Foundation, for their consideration and
subsequent submission to national governments and various nongovernmental organisations as appropriate.
This volume contains a number of articles, most of which were presented at the
symposium and considered of interest in future efforts to achieve sustainable project
solutions. Also included is the full text of the conclusions and recommendations developed during the Norderney symposium.
On 21-25 April, 1997 the First International Symposium on Large-Scale Constructions in Coastal Environments was held on the island of Norderney in Germany. The
Wadden Sea National Park Authorities in Lower Saxony initiated this symposium
which was inspired by the experience gained through the planning and implementation of the Norwegian State Oil Company, Statoil, natural gas pipeline landfall project, Europipe, during the period 1991-1995. The overall objective of the symposium
was to provide contributions to the resolution of the traditional conflict between the
need for economic development and the concerns for protection of the environment.
During the early planning, the scope of the symposium was extended to include
two other major coastal construction projects, in addition to the Europipe project,
namely the Danish/Swedish fixed link projects and the Dutch coastal protection
projects. Furthermore, an invitation was issued to potential participants to present
similar case studies or topics which would stimulate discussion within the areas of
environmental policy, economy, ethics or science.
The overall objective was achieved through the development of a number of specific recommendations prepared by all symposium participants in a joint effort. Several recommendations are of general application and thus not limited to coastal
construction projects. The main thrust of the recommendations was to stress the
need for development of integrated approaches to project planning and implementation. The importance of an open participatory process aimed at sustainable solutions
with due respect for the value of nature and the observance of ethical principles was
underlined. Cooperation between stakeholders rather than confrontation and conflict was highlighted as a necessary prerequisite.
The recommendations were officially handed over to representatives from the
Lower Saxony district government of Weser-Ems and from the three organisations,
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations Environmental
Program and Environment Northern Seas Foundation, for their consideration and
subsequent submission to national governments and various nongovernmental organisations as appropriate.
This volume contains a number of articles, most of which were presented at the
symposium and considered of interest in future efforts to achieve sustainable project
solutions. Also included is the full text of the conclusions and recommendations developed during the Norderney symposium.