Raise the dikes and re-use the past? Climate adaptation planning as heritage practice

Abstract Across Europe, coasts are drastically being changed to adapt relative sea level rise, which will influence coastal landscapes and heritage in many ways. In this paper, we introduce a methodological starting point for analysing the ways landscape architects spatial planners engage with context of current climate adaptation projects. We test these methodologies by applying them Marconi dike strengthening project Delfzijl, Netherlands. This city’s fortification is an interesting case, as it offers opportunities re-designing heritage. The city borders Wadden Sea area, tidal mudflat area protected UNESCO World Heritage Site its natural geological values. also consists rich cultural landscape, overlooked public image local policy. conclude that should strengthen not only dike, but interpretation past dominates policy political debates area. find existing production model Ashworth Tunbridge can provide some useful structure understanding contextualizing planning change way doing