Hard engineering, Soft engineering and Shoreline managment plans

What is soft engineering?

Working with natural processes to control erosion - more sustainable and less expensive

What is hard engineering?

Using man made things to control processes that cause erosion - expensive and big environmental impacts

Beach nourishment - soft engineering

Sand and shingle to widen beach

Dune regeneration - soft engineering

Create and restore sand dunes

Beach reprofiling - soft engineering

Redistributing sediment on beach to stabilise erosion

Managed retreat - soft engineering

Leaving certain areas of the coastline to naturally flood

Sea walls - hard engineering

Walls of concrete, stone or steel on shoreline

Groynes - hard engineering

Structure of wood or rock built at right angle to sea - prevents erosion

Rock armour - hard engineering

Large boulder placed at cliff or sea wall

Gabions - hard engineering

Rocks in mesh cages that reduce erosion

Hold the line - hard engineering

Upgrade or maintain flooding and erosion protection

What is a shoreline management plan?

Strategies to manage flooding and erosion for different periods of time

Hazard mapping

Identify areas at risk

Satellites and weather stations

Identify areas at risk