I !. Coastal Management and Coastal Defense
Introduction
21
The selection and timing of adaptive measures in response to coastal erosion and
sea-level rise depends on the physical, social, economic, political and
environmental characteristics of the affected areas 1, Although such measures can
be implemented on a case by case basis, growing population pressures and
conflicting demands in many of the world's coastal areas favor implementation of
comprehensive and systematic coastal management programs.
The three principal objectives of coastal management are to :
a) avoid development in areas that are vulnerable to flooding ;
b) ensure that critical natural systems continue to function ;
c) protect human lives, essential properties and economic activities against the
ravages of the seas.
Accordingly, such programs should give full consideration to ecological, cultural,
historic and aesthetic values and to the needs for human safety and economic
development 2.
Coastal management programs usually include governmental controls and private
sector incentives. Vulnerable areas are managed to minimize loss of life and
property through such means as setback lines, limits on population densities,
minimum building elevations and coastal hazard insurance requirements.
Resilient natural protective features, such as beaches, sand dunes, mangroves,
wetlands and coral reefs, are conserved and enhanced, which also maintains
biological diversity, aesthetic values and recreation potential.
Comprehensive plans for protecting existing economic activities help to ensure
that defense measures are consistent with other coastal management objectives.
Policies that specify which activities and development are permitted in new areas
promote efficient private land-use with the least risk of exposure to coastal
hazards.
Successful coastal management programs require public education to gain broad
based support and public participation to ensure equal representation of interests.