|
Managed realignment - definition
'Managed realignment' is one of five policy options adopted as part of the
development of Shoreline Management Plans in England and Wales by the Department
of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA 2001).
The term specifically applies to the policy option: "Managed realignment
by identifying a new line of defence and, where appropriate, constructing new
defences landward of the original defences."
The approach is mainly applicable to low-lying
coasts, where it may be the preferred shoreline management option
if:
- the cost of maintaining the seawall exceeds the value of the hinterland
it protects;
- intertidal habitat is being lost through 'coastal
squeeze';
- sand
and mud flats need to be created for birds;
- saltmarsh
needs to be created to replace habitat lost by coastal developments (mitigation).
Comment: There is growing recognition, globally of the benefits of
retreat and accommodation strategies in adapting to the impact of climate change
in the coastal zone see particularly (IPCC http://www.ipcc.ch/).
The report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Coastal Zone Management
Subgroup highlights several of these in considering "Key elements for addressing
responses to sea level rise" (IPCC 1992).
References
DEFRA
2001.
Shoreline Management Plans: a Guide for Coastal Defence Authorities. .
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London.
Abstract...
IPCC
1992.
Global Climate Change and the Rising Challenge of the Sea.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Response Strategies Working Group, Coastal Zone Management Subgroup.
|
