Guernsey: Wednesday 18 November 2026 – 7:30pm – Les Cotils
Jersey: Thursday 19 September 2026 – 5:30pm – Jersey Museum (Ouless Room) – Book tickets for free here
From small island settlements to larger island economies, engineering can support much more than coastal protection: it can help communities stay connected, sustain essential services and shape places where people want to live, work and visit. It can also enable communities to live more sustainably, using resources responsibly while reducing environmental impacts. This presentation explores how marine infrastructure and climate adaptation can contribute to those wider ambitions and help communities respond to the growing challenges of a changing climate.
Drawing on some of COWI’s recent projects at Hurst Castle, Inis Oírr, Dragør and Lynetteholm, it examines how engineering can safeguard heritage, strengthen maritime lifelines, enhance waterfronts and support long-term investment. The focus is on transferable principles rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, recognising that each community has different needs, resources and aspirations.
At its heart is a practical question: how can engineering help island communities, both large and small, thrive in a changing world? The session considers an approach that starts with community priorities, builds a sound evidence base and connects long-term ambition with deliverable, adaptable infrastructure—supporting a more sustainable way of living while strengthening resilience to sea-level rise, coastal change and more frequent extreme weather.
For Jersey lectures, the doors will open at 5:00pm for a 5:30pm start, with complimentary tea and coffee on arrival. We have limited capacity so if you wish to attend the lecture free bookings can be made via Eventbrite.
CIGPE is the representative body for professional engineering institutions in the Channel Islands. We organize several engineering related events each year including a series of technical lectures. These events are free to attend and contribute to Continued Professional Development. While aimed at engineers, our events are open to all members of the public.
