Weisner, E. and Schernewski, G. 2013. Adaptation to climate change: A combined coastal protection and re-alignment measure in a southern Baltic tourism region.

The German federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has an outer Baltic coastline of 354 km of which 70% is subject to erosion with an average retreat of 0.34 m/yr. Altogether 135 km of coastline is protected by wooden groynes, beach and dune nourishment, protective dunes and forests, dykes, seawalls and breakwaters at an annual maintenance cost of about 15.5 mio €. During the last decades the sea level rose at a rate of 1.2 mm/yr and an accelerated rate of rise is likely in future. A combined coastal protection and managed re-alignment scheme was implemented in an area of about 1000 ha, which aimed to adapt to the challenges associated with climate change, to reduce costs for coastal protection and to support environmentally sustainable development. The scheme covers 6 km of coastline comprising the seaside resort Markgrafenheide and the wetland and coastal moor Hütelmoor. We provide here the historic background to the area, document the scheme planning and implementation process, and evaluate the approach and success of the scheme. From an implementation and coastal and environmental protection perspective, the project was successful. Despite early public information and participation in planning of the scheme, a strong local opposition and a negative public perception developed which enforced modifications of the scheme.