Ecosystem-based adaptation at scale through Building with Nature - Towards resilient coasts in Indonesia

Indonesia’s coastlines are being destroyed by erosion, which is being driven by sea level rise, the clearing of mangrove forests for aquaculture and excessive groundwater extraction. Countermeasures involving fixed structures like seawalls to protect tidal flats are ineffective, expensive and unable to adapt to climate change. Nor do these measures deliver the economic, ecological and social benefits offered by healthy ecosystems. Taking the approach of ‘Building with Nature’, ecosystem-based solutions such as mangrove restoration and semi-permeable dykes made from natural materials are being combined with engineering know-how. This produces secure coastlines with green infrastructure that can adapt to the rise in sea levels. These solutions simultaneously offer sustainable land use that will lead to greater prosperity. Ideally, this coastal management approach will be extended to climate change adaptation efforts throughout Indonesia, with a major pilot project being run in central Java.

Project data

Countries: Indonesia
IKI funding: 3,043,648.45 €
Duration: 09/2015 till 06/2021
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: Stichting Wetlands International (WI) - Netherlands
Political Partner: Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries - Indonesia

Ministry of Public Work (PU) - Indonesia
Implementing Partner: EcoShape, Building with Nature - Netherlands
Online: https://www.wetlands.org/casestudy/building-with-nature-indonesia/

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State of implementation/results

Project completed.
The program Building with Nature (BwN) engaged with ten community groups across nine villages along the northern coast of Demak.
Within the technical and socio-economical BwN approach, 2.6 km permeable dams to enhance sedimentation were built.
Additionally, 1,16 km of rehabilitation measures had to be conducted as the permeable structures were damaged faster than anticipated.
Nonetheless, the observed sedimentation rates were good and the mangroves were recovering.
Implementation of the biorights mechanism in the Demak was introduced.
In Banten Bay a small-scale demonstration site was established, which thanks to its strategic location close to Jakarta, is receiving many visitors.
Best aquaculture practices introduced through Coastal Field Schools on over 400 ha have been very successful and significantly increased aquaculture productivity and income.
Village development plans and regulations on land use rights, protected areas and coastal zone management were developed and adopted by 10 communities and formalized with local government. It has already resulted in enhanced government support for maintenance of permeable structures, mangrove rehabilitation and aquaculture.
The partner Ministry MMAF has initiated and funded a marine spatial management program to restore eroding coastlines with to 25 km of permeable strucures (BwN) placed worth ~2.5 million EUR. Additionally, in Demak village and district government allocated budget to ensure continued maintenance of the structures beyond the project lifetime.
In the course of the project subsidence due to groundwater extraction resulted to be very severe - in parts of the project area it reached up to 8cm per year. While addressing this level of subsidence was beyond the scope and power of the project, Building with Nature measures could soften and delay the impact of hazards, helping communities adapt or transform their livelihoods. Even though mangroves were not recovering, the coastline with permeable structures did not further erode. The project added a new focus on raising awareness on subsidence among communities and policymakers.

Latest Update:
03/2025