• Evelyn Alonso, PhD in Architecture and professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, highlights strategies such as coastal immunotherapy and the use of ecological infrastructures to strengthen coastal resilience.

Gran Canaria, January 30, 2025 – The LIFE COSTAdapta project took center stage at the Ecoislas International Forum on January 30 in Gran Canaria. Evelyn Alonso, PhD in Architecture and professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, successfully presented the key advances and approaches of this pioneering initiative in coastal adaptation to climate change. The presentation generated great interest, exceeding the planned capacity of 78 attendees and leaving some standing, demonstrating the growing commitment to sustainable solutions for coastal protection.

During the session, Alonso emphasized the need to rethink coastal protection by finding alternatives to traditional hard infrastructures, such as breakwaters and seawalls, which have a high environmental and social impact. In this context, LIFE COSTAdapta proposes an innovative approach based on “coastal immunotherapy”, reinforcing the natural mechanisms of the coastline to enhance its resilience against erosion and climate change.

Key strategies presented included:

•  The use of cobbles to strengthen the coast and mitigate the effects of extreme wave action.
• The design of ecological concrete structures, which not only protect the shoreline but also foster marine biodiversity.
• Local participation and environmental studies to ensure solutions are adapted to the needs of coastal communities.
• A progressive and modular implementation of the prototype, allowing adaptation to future scenarios such as rising sea levels.

The audience showed great interest in the social acceptance of the project and the use of concrete as a construction material. Alonso explained that the project location was chosen through a consensus process with stakeholders and that the concrete used has biodiversity-friendly properties, facilitating the colonization of marine species and integrating seamlessly into the ecosystem.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

LIFE COSTAdapta is a pioneering project led by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria (CIEGC) and co-financed by the European Union through the LIFE Programme (60%). With a duration of seven years and a total budget of €3,409,864, the project will design and test a progressive tidal pool-reef system, combining traditional techniques with advanced solutions for coastal adaptation.

The project is carried out in collaboration with seven partners, including: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), University of Cantabria (UC), INGECID, Raley Estudios Costeros S.C.P., ECOncrete AQUA, Fundación Canaria para el Reciclaje y Desarrollo Sostenible (FCR), and Fundación Finnova.

More information about LIFE COSTAdapta: https://costadapta.energiagrancanaria.com/