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Unlock This CourseCoastal management in developed countries involves sophisticated strategies to protect valuable coastlines from erosion and flooding. These nations have the financial resources and technology to implement both hard and soft engineering solutions. The challenge is balancing protection with environmental sustainability and managing conflicts between different users of the coast.
Key Definitions:
Developed countries often have densely populated coastlines with expensive infrastructure, homes and businesses. Climate change is increasing sea levels and storm intensity, making coastal protection more urgent than ever. Without proper management, billions of pounds worth of property could be lost to the sea.
The Holderness Coast in East Yorkshire is Europe's fastest-eroding coastline, losing an average of 2 metres per year. This 61-kilometre stretch of coast provides an excellent example of coastal management challenges in a developed country.
The Holderness Coast stretches from Bridlington to Spurn Head. It's made of soft boulder clay (glacial till) deposited during the last Ice Age. This soft rock is easily eroded by powerful waves from the North Sea, especially during winter storms. The coast faces northeast, making it vulnerable to waves with the longest fetch.
Soft boulder clay cliffs up to 35m high. Contains mixture of clay, sand and large boulders. Very susceptible to erosion and mass movement.
Experiences powerful winter storms from the North Sea. Strong winds create large waves with significant erosive power.
Hydraulic action, abrasion and corrosion rapidly erode the cliffs. Longshore drift moves sediment southwards.
Since Roman times, 29 villages have been lost to the sea along the Holderness Coast. The village of Ravenser Odd, once a major port, completely disappeared by 1400. Today, Mappleton loses 2.5m per year, whilst some areas near Great Cowden lose up to 10m annually during severe storms.
The Holderness Coast demonstrates both the successes and failures of different coastal management approaches. The area uses a combination of hard and soft engineering, but not everywhere is protected equally.
Several locations along the Holderness Coast use hard engineering to protect valuable settlements and infrastructure.
Protection: 4.7km sea wall and promenade built in 1905 and upgraded multiple times. Includes rock armour and groynes.
Cost: £6.2 million for recent upgrades
Effectiveness: Very successful - no significant erosion for over 100 years
Protection: Concrete sea wall with promenade, plus timber groynes to trap sediment.
Cost: £5.2 million for sea wall construction and maintenance
Effectiveness: Protects the town but increases erosion to the south
Protection: Rock armour (rip-rap) installed in 1991, plus two rock groynes.
Cost: £2 million initially, plus ongoing maintenance
Effectiveness: Reduced erosion from 2.5m to 0.3m per year
Some areas of the Holderness Coast use sustainable management approaches that work with natural processes.
At the southern end of Holderness, Spurn Head is managed through 'do nothing' policies. This 5.5km sand and shingle spit is allowed to migrate naturally. It provides important habitat for wildlife and demonstrates how coastal features can adapt to change when left unmanaged.
Coastal management at Holderness has created a complex pattern of winners and losers, demonstrating the challenges faced in developed countries.
The economic impacts of coastal management are significant and varied across the Holderness Coast.
Protected areas like Bridlington and Hornsea maintain property values and tourism income. Businesses can operate safely without fear of coastal erosion.
Management schemes cost millions to build and maintain. Taxpayers fund protection that mainly benefits coastal property owners.
Unprotected areas continue losing farmland worth £300,000 per year. Some farmers have lost entire fields to erosion.
Coastal management decisions create significant social tensions and inequalities along the Holderness Coast.
Residents in Bridlington and Hornsea feel secure and can plan for the future. Property values remain stable and communities can maintain their identity and heritage.
Farmers and residents in unprotected areas face constant anxiety about losing their homes and livelihoods. Some have been forced to relocate as their properties become unsafe.
Coastal management has created both positive and negative environmental consequences.
The rock groynes at Mappleton have caused accelerated erosion south of the village. Areas like Great Cowden now lose up to 10m per year because sediment is trapped at Mappleton and doesn't continue its natural southward journey. This demonstrates how protecting one area can damage another.
Different groups have conflicting interests in how the Holderness Coast should be managed, creating ongoing tensions.
Want maximum protection for their homes and communities. Support hard engineering solutions even if expensive. Oppose managed retreat policies.
Prefer soft engineering and natural processes. Concerned about habitat destruction and disruption to sediment transport. Support managed retreat.
Must balance costs with benefits. Cannot afford to protect everywhere. Prioritises areas with highest economic value and population density.
Climate change is making coastal management increasingly difficult and expensive along the Holderness Coast.
Sea levels around the UK are rising by 1.4mm per year, with predictions of 11-16cm rise by 2030. This will increase pressure on existing defences and require costly upgrades to maintain current protection levels.
Future management may need to focus more on adaptation rather than protection. This could include relocating communities, creating buffer zones and accepting that some areas cannot be saved economically.
The Holderness Coast demonstrates that even wealthy developed countries cannot protect every metre of coastline. Difficult decisions must be made about where to invest in protection and where to allow natural retreat. Early planning and community engagement are essential for successful coastal management.