Beach management cycle
The beach management cycle is a graphical way, based on
the PDCA approach, of synthesizing the key elements in
beach management (Figure 1).
First, it is necessary to plan and to establish
a management strategy and actions. This step implies to
articulate the legal framework, the knowledge of beach
managers, and the scientific community concerning
beach processes and response, with the strategic and
operational management objectives for a specific beach.
While strategic objectives provide the long-term context
for management and are based on a vision of the natural
and the socioeconomic systems (e.g., sustainable development of the beach area), the operational objectives
implement the strategic objective (e.g., determine the
ecological beach carrying capacity) (van Koningsveld,
2003).
After the actions are established, they should be
implemented according to previously established guidelines elaborated in the planning phase.
Monitoring the beach dynamics and response to the
implemented actions is the next step. Did things happen
according to the plan? Did the system respond as
expected? Indicators (quantitative/qualitative statements
or measured/observed parameters) should be used in order
to support beach monitoring since their main functions are
to simplify the information, quantify the target system,
and facilitate the communication process between different beach stakeholders (e.g., beach managers and scientific community) (UNESCO, 2006).
The beach management cycle is then completed by
evaluating whether the initial objectives were achieved
and eventually acknowledging the need to review the original objectives in the context of changing pressures (e.g.,
climate change) to reflect changes in legislation or good
practice (Drake, 2010).
The beach management cycle should be rooted in
the integrated coastal zone management philosophy
(Cicin-Sain and Knecht, 1998), thus being a dynamic,
multidisciplinary, and iterative process aiming to promote
Beach Management, Figure 1 Beach management cycle.
54
BEACH MANAGEMENT
The beach management cycle is a graphical way, based on
the PDCA approach, of synthesizing the key elements in
beach management (Figure 1).
First, it is necessary to plan and to establish
a management strategy and actions. This step implies to
articulate the legal framework, the knowledge of beach
managers, and the scientific community concerning
beach processes and response, with the strategic and
operational management objectives for a specific beach.
While strategic objectives provide the long-term context
for management and are based on a vision of the natural
and the socioeconomic systems (e.g., sustainable development of the beach area), the operational objectives
implement the strategic objective (e.g., determine the
ecological beach carrying capacity) (van Koningsveld,
2003).
After the actions are established, they should be
implemented according to previously established guidelines elaborated in the planning phase.
Monitoring the beach dynamics and response to the
implemented actions is the next step. Did things happen
according to the plan? Did the system respond as
expected? Indicators (quantitative/qualitative statements
or measured/observed parameters) should be used in order
to support beach monitoring since their main functions are
to simplify the information, quantify the target system,
and facilitate the communication process between different beach stakeholders (e.g., beach managers and scientific community) (UNESCO, 2006).
The beach management cycle is then completed by
evaluating whether the initial objectives were achieved
and eventually acknowledging the need to review the original objectives in the context of changing pressures (e.g.,
climate change) to reflect changes in legislation or good
practice (Drake, 2010).
The beach management cycle should be rooted in
the integrated coastal zone management philosophy
(Cicin-Sain and Knecht, 1998), thus being a dynamic,
multidisciplinary, and iterative process aiming to promote
Beach Management, Figure 1 Beach management cycle.
54
BEACH MANAGEMENT