Coastal Adaptation: A Study of Municipal Discretion in Contribution Allocation
Translated title
Coastal Adaptation
Authors
Bloom, Daji Maak ; Lorentsen, Søren Albæk
Term
4. semester
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-06-04
Pages
68
Abstract
This study examines how municipal discretion — their room to judge and decide — in allocating the costs of coastal protection under Section 9a of the Coastal Protection Act shapes project implementation. Section 9a authorizes municipalities to share costs among properties that are assessed to benefit from a coastal protection project. Cost allocation is therefore not only about financing, but also about translating benefit assessments into specific payment obligations for affected landowners. The study uses a qualitative approach: legal analysis clarifies the boundaries of municipal discretion under Section 9a, and a case study of the dike projects in Bogense and Høll shows how discretion is applied in practice based on municipal documents and appeal cases. In addition, interviews with people experienced in contribution models provide practice-based insights not evident from the documents. The study concludes that Section 9a gives municipalities a necessary but conflict-sensitive room for action. Implementation challenges arise especially when legally sound benefit assessments are converted into financial contributions that affected landowners do not always perceive as understandable or fair. A well-functioning cost allocation therefore requires not only a lawful basis, but also clear criteria, transparent reasoning, and a process in which landowners feel their objections are taken seriously.
Dette studie undersøger, hvordan kommunernes skøn — deres mulighed for at vurdere og beslutte — ved fordeling af udgifter til kystbeskyttelse efter kystbeskyttelseslovens §9a påvirker gennemførelsen af projekter. §9a er en bestemmelse, der giver kommuner hjemmel til at fordele omkostninger mellem ejendomme, som vurderes at have gavn af et kystbeskyttelsesprojekt. Bidragsfordeling handler derfor ikke kun om finansiering, men om at omsætte nyttevurderinger til konkrete betalingskrav for berørte grundejere. Studiet bygger på en kvalitativ tilgang: Juridisk metode afklarer rammerne for det kommunale skøn under §9a, og et casestudie af digeprojekterne i Bogense og Høll viser, hvordan skønnet bruges i praksis gennem kommunale dokumenter og klagesager. Derudover belyser interviews med personer med erfaring i bidragsmodeller praksisnære forhold, som ikke fremgår af dokumenterne. Studiet konkluderer, at §9a giver kommunerne et nødvendigt, men konfliktfølsomt handlerum. Implementeringsudfordringer opstår især, når juridisk holdbare nyttevurderinger omsættes til økonomiske bidrag, som berørte grundejere ikke altid oplever som forståelige eller retfærdige. En velfungerende bidragsfordeling kræver derfor ikke kun et lovligt fordelingsgrundlag, men også klare kriterier, tydelig begrundelse og en proces, hvor grundejernes indsigelser bliver taget alvorligt.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords