Timmendorfer Strand and Scharbeutz are two German seaside resorts. Located in lowlands along the Baltic Sea, they are facing an increasing flood risk, due to Climate change and sea-level rise. The need of coastal protection is well accepted, but there is a demand to minimize the effects of measures (dyke) on tourism. Considering that a coastal dyke could have bad effects on tourism, the local population and the decision-makers used to minimize the importance of the risk. In a participative procedure, a flood protection strategy was successfully developed in 2000 by local stakeholders, municipalities and coastal defense authorities. This case study shows the possibilities and the limits of public participation in local plans of Integrated Coastal Zone Management. |