Socioeconomic Impacts of a Nature and Recreation Area: The Case of the “Waterdunen” in the Netherlands

As a low-lying country, the Netherlands has extensive experience protecting itself from high sea levels. However, climate change continues to pose challenges, particularly in coastal areas. Notably, 62% of the primary flood defenses (approximately 2000 km) fail to meet the legal standards set for 2050 (CLO, Veiligheid primaire waterkeringen, 2001–2023 (indicator 2043, versie 06, 25 september 2024), www.clo.nl. Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS), Den Haag; PBL Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving, Den Haag; RIVM Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, Bilthoven; en Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 2024a). At the same time, the Netherlands pursues ambitious goals for nature preservation and social welfare. One such initiative, the Waterdunen project in Zeeland, aims to integrate coastal protection, nature preservation, and recreation. Waterdunen was developed in phases, including coastal zone design and construction. Since 2021, the province of Zeeland has designated it as “existing nature, management type sea and mudflats and dune and salt marsh landscape.” This chapter discusses the project’s impact on the municipality of Sluis, where it was implemented. The analysis highlights how the project aligns with sustainability goals while addressing socioeconomic considerations. By transforming a coastal area into a multifunctional space, Waterdunen illustrates the potential of nature and recreation areas to support sustainable development. It contributes to the broader literature by showcasing innovative approaches to harnessing natural landscapes for environmental and community benefits.