Waterfronts and shorelines are in high demand for commercial development despite their vulnerable and fragile position. During the last century, vast stretches of the San Francisco Bay shoreline were intensively developed, including areas on low-lying, reclaimed and subsided land. In addition, the Bay represents one of the most diverse and ecologically challenging landscapes in the United States today.

ARCADIS is leading a team of U.S. and Dutch engineers and scientists to investigate the impact of a rising sea level on the Bay’s shoreline, and to develop strategies for adaptation. The study is the first pilot project of an alliance between the Netherlands and the State of California on climate change adaptation.

ARCADIS assessed both the economic and natural dynamics of the area to develop different strategies with over 50 adaptation measures. The strategies range from tidaldenying and economic-driven measures, to tidal-embracing and ecology-driven initiatives depending on the nature of the shoreline and the State’s future ambitions. The results of the study were presented in San Francisco at a special symposium: “The Netherlands and California – A New Alliance on Climate Change Adaptation.”