Coastal scan

After the hot summers of previous years, there is a risk that water scarcity becomes a water shortage. Seawater desalination may offer a solution. Inge Genné, manager of the programme ‘Water Management & Technology’ at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), gives us more insight.

Working at sea is not always easy and entails a great deal of risks and challenges. This is certainly the case for offshore wind farms. The company RelyOn Nutec meets this need by providing tailor-made safety training courses.

In 2009, the offshore wind turbines of C-Power began to generate green energy in the Belgian North Sea. The company thus heralded a new era for offshore wind power in Belgium.

How can vulnerable young people be motivated and inspired to make a valuable contribution to a sustainable circular economy? 0.666 tried to figure it out and came up with several innovative solutions.

The oldest sewage treatment plant in Belgium is located on Hazegrasstraat in Knokke-Heist. Commissioned by Compagnie du Zoute, the installation was constructed in 1928 to treat the wastewater from the residential area Het Zoute.

On the East Bank in Ostend, nearly all traditional gutters have disappeared from Victoriastraat. They have been replaced by the 'City River'. This open system not only looks appealing, but also ensures that water is used sustainably.

A considerable amount of fresh water is hidden below the dunes. Since they retain water well, wide dunes are important for our freshwater supplies.

From time to time, the North Sea coast is affected by storms with varying intensity. In coastal municipalities such as Blankenberge, appropriate measures are taken to prevent potential damage.

On the East Bank beach in Ostend, you can find an artificially constructed dune in front of the seawall. This pilot project is aimed at making use of natural solutions to protect our coastline against the forces of nature.

The port of Zeebrugge is ideally positioned for the Physical Internet. After all, this logistical hub could play a crucial role in the development of our future transport system.

Zeebrugge is the world’s leading port when it comes to the import and export of new vehicles. It is also an important hub for the transhipment of cargo and import of natural gas. As a result, the link with the hinterland is very strong.

There used to be lots of shipyards on the Flemish coast, but most have had to close their doors. One of the exceptions is IDP Shipyard in Ostend.

The port of Ostend is investing heavily in circularity and the blue economy. The focus is on offshore activities and the renewable-energy industry. The REBO terminal plays an important role in this respect.

According to Belgian standards, Zeebrugge has an exceptionally wide beach, thanks to the development of the port of Zeebrugge. Because of its width, the beach offers some unique opportunities.

Did you know that there is a medical rehabilitation centre in the dunes of De Haan? At Zeepreventorium, children and youngsters with chronic medical conditions can regain their strength in a haven of peace by the sea.

The pressure on the scarce available space on the coast is increasing. To guarantee high-quality growth, the province of West Flanders is focusing on consultation and cooperation between all actors involved.

Tourists leave a lot of litter behind on the beaches of the Flemish coast. Fortunately, countless volunteers such as Proper Strand Lopers consider it a point of honour to keep the coastline clean.

A lot of new urban amenities are under construction on the Ostend East Bank. In this context, it was also decided to recreate the dune landscape and integrate it into the new public space.

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Zeebrugge is the most important port in the world for the import and export of new cars. The world port is also an important centre for the transhipment of goods and a natural gas hub. The connection with the hinterland is very important.