1 Competition for coasts Enquiry question: Why is the coastal zone so favoured for development?

How physical factors create variety in a range of different coastal environments. The factors which have led to exponential population growth in some coastal environments: - flat land, soil fertility, equable climate, biodiversity potential for fishing, recreation/tourism, industrial and port development and accessibility. Case studies/examples: Growth and development of coastal resort Brighton/Blackpool/Benidorm Geology creating coastal scenery Dorset Jurassic Coast Upland coastlines providing inlets and natural harbours Hong Kong Estuaries and their hinterlands Shanghai/Rotterdam Value of ecosystems Caribbean mangroves and reefs Beaches and attractive climate Florida River foodplains/deltas Nile Delta/Bangladesh 2 Coping with the pressure Enquiry question: How do various coastal developments create competition and conflict? How can these

pressures be resolved?

How development lead to patterns of zoning in coastal areas and how competition for space puts pressure on coastal environments. There are economic benefits and environmental costs to coastal development which influence the success of the development equation and involve the views of stakeholders and their conflicting needs. Case studies/examples: Economic benefits vs. environmental costs - Dibden Bay Conflict among users - Dorset Jurassic Coast 3 Increasing risks Enquiry question: How is coastal development increasingly at risk from and vulnerable to physical

processes?

The growing level of coastal development faces increasing risks from coastal erosion and flooding because of: - rapid coastal erosion along vulnerable coasts - the impact of rising sea levels in areas of - dense population and high value installations, particularly those that may be subject to tsunamis and storm surges. Case studies/examples: Coastal retreat Holderness/Fairlight Coastal flooding Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Great Flood UK (1953) Tidal waves Asian Tsunami (2004) 4 Coastal management Enquiry question: How is coastal management adapting to new ideas and situations? How the spectrum of coastal management strategies (hard e ngineering to do nothing) has evolved into shoreline management planning. Management strategies for the future include sustainable and integrated approaches such as coastal realignment and Shoreline Management plans (ICZM). Case studies/examples: Coastal management Hastings, Fairlight and Pett Level (E. Sussex Coast)