Abstract
Sandy shores worldwide suffer from coastal erosion due to a lack of sediment input and sea-level rise. In response, coastal sand nourishments are executed using ‘Building with Nature’ techniques (BwN), in which the sand balance is amplified and natural dynamics are instrumental in the redistribution of sand, cross- and alongshore. These nourishments contribute to the growth of beaches and dunes, serving various design objectives (such as flood safety, nature, and recreation). Nevertheless, human interference (such as buildings and traffic) along urbanized sandy shores may have significant, yet poorly understood, effects on beach and dune development. Better insight is required into the interplay of morphological, ecological and urban processes to support Aeolian BwN processes for dune formation and contribute to the sustainable design of urbanized coastal zones. This paper aims to bridge the gap between coastal engineering and urban design by formulating design principles for BwN along urbanized sandy shores, combining nourishments, natural dune formation and urban development on a local scale to strengthen the coastal buffer. The first part of the paper analyses sedimentation processes in the (built) sea-land interface and identifies spatial mechanisms that relate coastal occupation to dune formation. Hence a preliminary set of design principles is derived by manipulating wind-driven sediment transport for BwN dune formation after nourishment. In the second part of the paper, these principles are applied and contextualized in two case-studies to compare their capability for BwN in different coastal profiles: the vast, rural, geomorphologically high dynamic profile of a mega-nourishment (Sand Motor); versus the compact, highly urbanized, profile(s) of a coastal resort (Noordwijk). Conclusions reflect on the applicability of BwN design principles within different coastal settings (dynamics, urbanity) and spatial arrangements facilitating BwN dune formation.
Highlights
Sandy shores offer a multitude of ecosystem services; regulation- (e.g.flood protection), production- and cultural services, all depending on the quality of supporting services
This paper aims to bridge the gap between coastal engineering and urban design by formulating design principles for Building with Nature’ techniques (BwN) along urbanized sandy shores, combining nourishments, natural dune formation and urban development on a local scale to strengthen the coastal buffer
Sediment balances and dynamics are conditional to any spatial design of sustainable urbanized sandy shores
Summary
Sandy shores offer a multitude of ecosystem services; regulation- (e.g. flood protection), production- (e.g. drinking water, tourism) and cultural services (e.g. recreation), all depending on the quality of supporting services (e.g. natural balances of water, nutrients and sediment). This paper fuses insights from coastal engineering and spatial design to formulate BwN design principles that combine nourishment strategies and urban development to strengthen the coastal buffer They employ wind-driven (aeolian) processes and spatial interventions for sediment allocation, promoting dune formation. Such an approach depends on the sediment supply from nourishment strategies - in terms of amount, frequency and location (along the coast, on the shore face or beach) - on the regional scale (Mulder et al, 2011) and (adaptive) urban typologies for waterfront development. - The compact profile of a coastal resort (Noordwijk), featuring a ‘high frequent, low volume’ nourishment strategy ( 5Mm3/5 years) in an urbanized setting Both case-studies explore how the BwN design principles can be employed to compose spatial arrangements accommodating nature-based dune formation Conclusions reflect on the applicability of the BwN design principles within different coastal settings and spatial arrangements to facilitate BwN dune formation (par. 5)
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