REAL TIME COASTAL MONITORING FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF DUBAI COAST

Abstract

The Dubai coastal zone is defined as a land mass stretching from the Abu Dhabi border in the south to Al Mamzar lagoon in the north, from approximately +4 m DMD (Dubai Municipality Datum) onshore to 10 nautical miles offshore. In its natural state this approximately 70km long coastline consists primarily of long sandy beaches backed by low level dunes and ridges. However, recent infra-structural developments related to trade, tourism and real estate have resulted in significant development within the Dubai coastal zone. These developments have interfered with the natural coastal processes of waves, tidal currents and sediment transport. To understand the dynamics of coastal processes Coastal Zone & Waterways Management Section (CWMS) of Dubai Municipality (DM) developed an advanced coastal real-time monitoring system for coastal management and future planning. This paper provides an overview of the coastal monitoring programme and how these data are used in managing the coastal zone and decision making.