Reinforcing the coastline in Pekalongan

The Union of Water Authorities commissioned Witteveen+Bos to carry out a feasibility study for the city of Pekalongan on the northern coast of Java in Indonesia. The city is suffering from coastal erosion and parts of the city experience daily flooding. Both are caused by soil subsidence and poor management of water defences. Following the feasibility study, Witteveen+Bos recommended strengthening the coastline by means of sand supplementation. Witteveen+Bos further recommended creating polders to hold back floods. Both solutions will increase the safety and welfare of the city’s residents. Additionally, they will create opportunities for productivity in the area. The solutions are based on understanding the system and on using natural processes efficiently in accordance with the Building with Nature concept.