In Finland building in coastal areas is strictly regulated. There are also some special requirements, when you are building a house or planning a garden near river. Springtime flooding, changeable water levels and erosion are all things that need to be noticed.

Climate change is expected to affect water levels and, for example the occurrence of floods in the coming decades. This will affect also at Northern Ostrobotnia area. Also rainfall is predicted to grow.

What can be learnt from the big scale erosion shields and riverside renovations when making a smaller plan. For example willows growing near the river are used to prevent erosion – the same way as willow cuttings are commonly used as erosion shields.

The purpose of this thesis was to make a garden plan for a house which is built near a river. At the same time the aim is to retain the rustic countryside atmosphere in the area.

The garden plan is to be implemented soon after its completion.