Knokke in Cadzand

Overview

In the Zeeland coastal village of Cadzand, tourism provides year-round employment and vibrancy. At the same time, permanent residents are disappearing, and housing is becoming unaffordable. Clubs are shrinking, amenities are under pressure, and the fire department is facing a shortage of volunteers. The coast is being filled with expensive apartment complexes for tourists, while young people are struggling to find affordable housing. Economic growth is clashing with social cohesion and nature. How do residents of a Zeeland coastal village combat the financial pressures when their village is overrun by tourists and white facades with red roofs dominate nature reserves?

Ellis Smulders