Frank Ahlhorn – författare

From February 2004 until December 2007 the ComCoast project (Combined Fu- tions in Coastal Defence Zones) was carried out within the Interreg IIIB framework. The objective of this project was to investigate and to test the options for spatial coastal protection concepts. The mission statement of the project over its entire duration was: A wider approach in coastal thinking. I was glad to be part of this project and would like to thank all my European colleagues for the constructive and cooperative atmosphere. Firstly, I would like to express my thanks to Prof. Dr. Horst Sterr and Prof. Dr. Hans Kunz who assisted me over these years with their thorough guidance and comprehensive expertise and for many in-depth discussions on the focus of this dissertation. Secondly, I would like to thank my colleague Dr. Jur ¨ gen Meyerdirks, who acted as my key scienti c sparring partner over the last two years, and who continuously demonstrated his ability to bring me back to earth. Additionally, I would like to thank my colleague Dr. Thomas Klenke, who gave me the chance to be part of a challenging European project consortium and who supported me with his expertise on the project and the dissertation. Furthermore, I would like to express my special thanks to Gerard McGovern, who thoroughly improved my English.

From February 2004 until December 2007 the ComCoast project (Combined Fu- tions in Coastal Defence Zones) was carried out within the Interreg IIIB framework. The objective of this project was to investigate and to test the options for spatial coastal protection concepts. The mission statement of the project over its entire duration was: A wider approach in coastal thinking. I was glad to be part of this project and would like to thank all my European colleagues for the constructive and cooperative atmosphere. Firstly, I would like to express my thanks to Prof. Dr. Horst Sterr and Prof. Dr. Hans Kunz who assisted me over these years with their thorough guidance and comprehensive expertise and for many in-depth discussions on the focus of this dissertation. Secondly, I would like to thank my colleague Dr. Jur ¨ gen Meyerdirks, who acted as my key scienti c sparring partner over the last two years, and who continuously demonstrated his ability to bring me back to earth. Additionally, I would like to thank my colleague Dr. Thomas Klenke, who gave me the chance to be part of a challenging European project consortium and who supported me with his expertise on the project and the dissertation. Furthermore, I would like to express my special thanks to Gerard McGovern, who thoroughly improved my English.

Thema des vorliegenden Buches ist der Umgang mit dem Wasser an der niedersächsischen Küste (hier: die Entwässerung der niedrig liegenden Landschaft), eine fundamentale Angelegenheit für die Menschen, die hier leben und arbeiten. Für ein junges Zielpublikum wird unterhaltsam erläutert, wohin das Wasser fließt und welche Anstrengungen unsere Vorfahren unternommen hatten, damit wir in dieser Landschaft (über)leben können. Darüber hinaus werden Veränderungen, die z. B. über den Klimawandel auf diese Landschaft einwirken, in die Entdeckungsreise der vier Protagonisten eingebunden.

An overview of the coordination of various requirements for coastal-zone use is provided in this book, offering examples and best practice. Although it focuses on European coastal zones, it also considers global and historical developments. Questions at the end of each chapter enable readers to test their understanding.