“Heimat” on the German North Sea coast
and people’s perception of storm surges
Beate Ratter, Daniela Siedschlag, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Coastal Research
Contact: Beate.Ratter@hzg.de Ddaniela.siedschlag@hzg.de
What does „Heimat“ mean to you?
“Heimat” on the German North Sea coast
The German term “Heimat” cannot be properly translated into English.
“Heimat” is constructed individually and influenced by social norms and
values. It refers to a place or a feeling of a person and relates to:
 Social components (family, friends, …)
 Emotional components (feelings, cultural background, language, …)
Spatial components (landscape, region, …)
The binding of people to their “Heimat” is based on perception, awareness
and place identity. It fosters intrinsic motivation for future development.
other
9%
n.a.
1%
place in study area
5%
living/working place
6%
feeling of belonging
32%
place of birth
10%
family & friends
18%
landscape & the coast
19%
n = 1,468
source: Ratter et al. (2009)
Hallig Hooge – photo: C. Sobiech
What are possible threats for your region?
no threats
4%
The German North Sea coast is a unique natural landscape which is affected
by falling and rising tide and marine climate. It is also an inimitable cultural
landscape – enclosures for land reclamation reflect people’s struggle against
the sea in the past and today.
other 8%
storm floods &
climate change
33%
demographic
change 4%
economic decline
7%
car & ship traffic
7%
oil pollution
7%
energy generation
& industry
7%
Friedrichstadt – photo: M. Lange
People’s perception of storm surges
n.a
4%
land consumption &
Construction 4%
Wadden Sea – photo: B. Ratter
too much tourism
8%
People living on the German North Sea coast feel connected to the sea in
their everyday lives and are bound to this region. But the North Sea coast,
the North Sea islands and Halligen are hazard prone regions. Heavy storm
surges can cause dyke breaks and flooding of settlements, agricultural and
industrial areas. The risk of storm surges is – particularly on the North Sea
islands – omnipresent and people are aware of this risk.
Analysing “Heimat” and people’s perception of storm surges
creates the basis for a suitable management strategy on the
German North Sea coast.
pollution &depletion of resources
7%
n = 862
source: Ratter et al. (2009)
Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht • Max-Planck-Straße 1 • D 21502 Geesthacht • Phone +49 4152 87-0 • Fax +49 4152 87-1403 • www.hzg.de