Seminar “From Wave Overtopping to Nature-based Solutions: Hydrodynamics for Resilient Coastal Protection”

CERIS is pleased to host the seminar “From Wave Overtopping to Nature-based Solutions: Hydrodynamics for Resilient Coastal Protection”, presented by Tomohiro Suzuki, Associate Professor in Coastal and Offshore Engineering at KU Leuven with more than 25 years of experience in coastal and offshore hydrodynamics. His research combines physical experiments and multiscale numerical modelling to investigate wave interactions with coastal environments and offshore structures, with a particular focus on climate resilience and sustainability. His current work focuses on advanced hydrodynamic modelling, nature-based coastal protection, innovative coastal and offshore structures, and renewable-energy applications.

The seminar will explore how coastal hydrodynamics can support safer and more sustainable coastal protection in the context of climate change. Drawing on research from the past decade, with a focus on wave overtopping, coastal safety assessment and wave–vegetation interaction, the presentation will show how field observations, physical experiments and numerical modelling can be combined to understand wave transformation and interactions with coastal defences and nature-based systems. Examples from the Flemish coast and beyond will illustrate how fundamental hydrodynamic knowledge can be translated into practical approaches for more resilient and sustainable coastal protection.