Managing coastal hazards

Understanding Coastal Hazards Management

Coastal Hazards Management involves a range of techniques used to reduce or control the impacts of coastal processes and hazards. It works towards protecting lives, infrastructure, and natural coastal environments.
Strategies can be reactionary, responding to impacts already happened, or they can be anticipatory, working to prevent impacts in the future.

Hard Engineering Approaches

Sea Walls: These are concrete or stone barriers built along the coast to prevent flooding and erosion. They reflect wave energy but can also accelerate beach erosion.
Groynes: These wooden or rock structures built at right angles to the coastline are used to reduce longshore drift and build up beaches. However, this can result in increased erosion down-drift.
Rock Armour: These are piles of large boulders placed at the foot of cliffs or at headlands. They absorb wave energy and reduce erosion, but are costly and can disrupt natural scenery.

Soft Engineering Approaches

Beach Nourishment: This involves adding sand or shingle to beaches, enhancing natural defences against erosion and flooding. It is relatively cheap but requires ongoing maintenance.
Managed Retreat: This anticipatory approach involves allowing low-lying coastal areas to flood and become natural buffer zones. This can be controversial if it requires relocation of communities.
Dune Regeneration: Dune systems are encouraged to grow through planting of vegetation or installation of fencing to trap sand. This offers a natural buffer against waves, but requires long-term commitment.

Adapting to Coastal Hazards

Planning Policies: This involves implementing building controls or zoning ordinances to control land use in vulnerable coastal areas. This can help limit exposure to coastal hazards.
Constructing Resilient Infrastructure: Buildings and infrastructure can be designed or retrofitted to withstand potential hazards such as flooding and ground movement.
Community Education: Residents and businesses in coastal areas can be educated about the risks and how to respond in case of a hazard event. This can enhance community preparedness.

Monitoring and Forecasting Coastal Hazards

Regular monitoring of coastal processes can help predict potential hazard risks. This includes monitoring sea level changes, wave patterns, beach profiles, and seismic activities.
Early Warning Systems can alert communities of impending events such as storm surges or tsunamis allowing for evacuation and preparation.
Climate Change Adaptation Plans can help communities prepare for long-term changes such as sea-level rise and increased storm intensity caused by global warming.

Effectively managing coastal hazards requires an integrated approach that encompasses multiple strategies, including hard and soft engineering options, adaptive planning, and community resilience initiatives.