In a world facing the consequences of a changing climate, rising sea levels and increasing urbanisation, this master thesis explores the cross field and embedded transition of practices when linking coastal flood protection with liveability in an urban planning context. Assisting an ongoing value-oriented research project called ‘Guldet’, this study more specifically investigates how the planning of coastal protection projects can increase the liveability and added value in an area through a more collaborative involvement of local stakeholders. Further, it will explore the value creation concept.

The link between coastal protection and liveability is being investigated in a Dutch as well as Danish context, exploring and opening up existing lock-ins as well as the ongoing transition to more holistic and integrated planning. These issues are addressed on the basis of a theoretical framework consisting of transition theories and an ANT-inspired approach to urban studies focusing on collaborative design and democratic design experiments. Through expert interviews, ethnographic field studies and observations the case of New Boulevard Scheveningen in the Netherlands is investigated. Furthermore, by undertaking an action-research and navigational approach, this study explores the visions, challenges and opportunities for creating liveability in the Climate Harbour project in Middelfart, Denmark. It is suggested that a collaborative workshop approach focusing on values and relations can contribute to qualify local actors to engage in organising themselves around arranging activities in the harbour thereby contributing to liveability.

Key words: added value, liveability, multifunctionality, coastal protection projects, climate adaptation, urban planning practices, stakeholder involvement, democratic design experiments, transition.