1. 2011/2012
INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT OF
ECO-INNOVATION
UNIVERSITY OF VERSAILLES SAINT QUENTIN EN
YVELINES
Indicator system for
eco-innovative
coastal defense
systems
Assessed by Professor Jean Paul VAN DER LINDEN
Boubacar COLY; Maksim DUBROVSKI; Collins IHEDIOHA; Ravi
NAKULAN; Aleksandra OSTROVSKAIA; Dina SALAKHOVA;
Sandra VELASCO-GONZALEZ

2. 2

3. SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
I. THE CASE OF NORTH SEA REGION
A. General Definitions
1) Erosion
i. Definition
ii. When does erosion become a problem?
2) Flooding
i. What is flooding?
ii. Causes
B. Current state of the North sea areas:
1) Main countries affected
2) Milestones of a common coastal defense strategy:
3) Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy:
i. Principles:
ii. Existing defense structures:
II. INDICATORS:
A. Innovative Defense structures:
1) Eco-Innovative defense structures:
i. Wave energy converters
ii. Natural barriers
iii. Floating urbanization and benchmarking
B. Indicators for Eco-Innovative defense
1) The DPSIR framework for Coastal defense systems:
2) Suggested indicators and assessment:
3) Suggested indicators system within the sustainability
framework
CONCLUSION
3

4. INTRODUCTION
In several countries around the world, coastal erosion and flooding are generating
huge turmoil in economy, ecologic and societal scales. Among those countries, the ones of
the Northern European region are one of the biggest zones at risk. Those phenomena are
natural processes accelerated by human activities. However with the pressure of transition
towards sustainable defense systems, it is ambitioned to trigger an eco-friendly challenge
towards a co-evolution between men and natural erosion processes.
In this context, this file highlights the eco innovative processes for coastal defense
and focuses on the required indicators to implement those eco-innovative systems.
The first part is dedicated to general definitions of the studied topic; then thanks to
several reasons that are exposed further, attention is paid to the North Sea region as the
outdoor laboratory for our indicators system. In a final step, we focus on the indicators and
their implementation in two suggested frameworks in order to assess their relevance.
4

5. I. THE CASE OF NORTH SEA REGION
A.General Definitions:
1) Erosion:
i. Definition:
Coast erosion is the process of wearing away material from a coastal profile due to
imbalance in the supply and export of material from ascertain section. It takes place in the
form of scouring in the foot of the cliffs or dunes or at the subtotal foreshore. Coastal
erosion takes place mainly during strong winds, high waves and high tides and storm surge
conditions, and results in coastline retreat and loss of land. The rate of erosion is correctly
expressed in volume/length/time, e.g. in m3/m/year, but erosion rate is often used
synonymously with coastline retreat and thus expressed in m/year.
ii. When does erosion become a problem?
Coastal erosion becomes a problem when there is no room to accommodate change: a
highly urbanized coastal zone will certainly face difficulties with coastal erosion. The question is
how much room is needed and what human uses are compatible with a dynamic coastline. Unless
we know the natural behavior of the coast, we cannot formulate a sustainable, economically
rational and socially acceptable coastal management strategy.
Coastal erosion and coastal flooding are often linked. One may lead to another,
especially where shorelines separating the sea from flat, low lying land are eroding.
FIG: 1 Types of erosion
5

6. 2) Flooding:
i. What is flooding:
While flash flooding can occur anywhere from heavy rains and poor drainage, coastal
flooding occurs when intense, offshore low-pressure systems drive ocean water inland. The
water pushed ashore is called storm surge.
Fig 2: Ocean currents in North Sea region
From the picture above it is clearly seen that ocean currents mainly entering via
the north entrance exiting along Norwegian coast and if a sea level increase due to climate
change has a potential threat for North Sea region. There are different coastal flooding levels
that are based on the amount water rises above the normal tide in a particular area and
every level requires appropriate approach and methods. They are following:
MINOR: Nuisance coastal flooding of locations adjacent to the shore. Minor beach
erosion can occur. Minor coastal flooding is not expected to close roads or do any major
structural damage to homes and other buildings.
MODERATE: More substantial coastal flooding, threatening life and property. Some
roads may become impassable due to flooding. Moderate beach erosion will occur along
with damage to some homes, businesses, and other facilities.
MAJOR: A serious threat to both life and property. Numerous roads will likely
become flooded. Many homes and businesses along the coast will receive major damage.
People should review safety precautions and prepare to evacuate if necessary. Major beach
erosion is also expected. Knowledge on how to manage flood risk is widespread and
6

7. fragmented across the North Sea region. The five North Sea countries show similar attitudes
towards managing flood risk, but at some points they may differ, caused by the fact that
physical context defines the appropriate strategy.
ii. Causes:
Floods from the sea can be caused by overflow, overtopping and breaching of flood
defenses like dikes and barriers as well as flattening of dunes/dune erosion. Land behind the
coastal defences may be flooded and experience damage. A flood from sea may be caused
by a heavy storm (storm surge or tidal flood), a spring tide, or particularly a combination
thereof. A timely reminder of the ever present risk was the storm surge on 9 November
2007 which resulted in the highest water levels for 50 years along parts of the North Sea
coastline and - in the Netherlands - led to the operation of a full scale dike watch for the first
time in 30 years. The surge also caused considerable erosion at some Wadden islands and
minor flooding in certain harbor areas. Storm surge barriers like the Thames barrier and
Maeslant barrier were closed. In England, several hundreds of people were evacuated.
B. Current state of the North sea areas:
The North Sea is situated between the countries Norway, Denmark, Germany, the
Netherlands, Belgium and United Kingdom. It is linked to the Atlantic Ocean in the north and
also in the southwest, via the Channel. To the east it links up with the Baltic Sea. The
Kattegat is considered an interchange zone between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Including estuaries and fjords, the total surface area of the North Sea is approximately
750,000 km² and its total volume 94,000 km³. The drainage area of the North Sea covers
about 850.000 km2 and is inhabited by about 184 million people.
Fig4: North Sea region
7

8. 1) Main countries affected:
The Danish coastline comprises active coastal cliffs where the sea erodes material, as
well as beach-ridge complexes where material is deposited in the lee of prevailing winds.
About 80% of the Danish population lives in urban areas near the coast. A total of about
1800km of coastline is protected by dykes or other types of coastal protection.
Two-thirds of the Netherlands, a sophisticated land in terms of industrial and agricultural
infrastructure containing high exposed values, lies below sea level. A catastrophic sea
inundation in 1953 in which 1,850 people drowned, led the Dutch, at great expense, to
develop exceptional expertise in flood protection and land reclamation.
The Netherlands’ extensive dyke system is constantly re-evaluated and strengthened where
appropriate. These protections theoretically offer a higher level of protection than the
Thames Barrier in London. Yet no insurer or reinsurer seems willing to grant the cover freely.
However well-protected the Netherlands is, the sheer accumulation of potential loss to that
almost unthinkable 10,000- year sea event forces prudence and caution. Those markets
willing to grant the cover (usually non-Dutch), spread their available capacity sparingly
across their clients. Flood loss potential is assessed cautiously, especially for Business
Interruption.
The UK has more than 6000km of coastline. Ports, harbors, marine industries, power
generation and beaches are essential to manufacturing, trade, recreation, fishing and
tourism. In addition, many parts of our coastline are important wildlife sanctuaries or
breeding grounds. Over the last 30 years these attractions have drawn more people and
industries to the coast. Climate change and rising sea levels are likely to have a severe
impact on the UK coast by 2080. The total rise in sea levels off the UK coast may exceed one
meter and could potentially reach two meters. The frequency of intense storm events is
expected to increase and, along with the rise in sea level, to lead to more coastal flooding.
Temperatures are expected to rise, particularly in the south and east of the UK.
8

9. 2) Milestones of a common coastal defense
strategy:
Spatial planning issues are generally well developed in the North Sea region countries on the
landward side of the coastline. However, in the marine area, many (often national) sectorial
agencies regulate different issues with little reference to integrative thinking and public
involvement. At the same time, the traditional terrestrial-based planning system often lacks
mechanisms for dealing with issues, which overlap the marine and terrestrial.
Country Ministerial Authorities Local Authority Level
Denmark Environment (ICZM); Defense (oil); Industry (tourism); Country
Transport & Works (defense)
Germany Transport, Building & Housing Municipality
Belgium Agriculture; Environment; Public Works, Transport and Regional
Town and Country Planning
Netherlands Ministry for Transport, Public Works and Water Regional
Management
United Kingdom Environment, Transport and the Regions; Environment Regional &
County
Agency
(Reference: EUCC, www.coastalguide.org)
Belgium
For a long time the seacoast has been the domain for sectoral planning mainly
serving tourism and recreation. Due to the small length of the coast and heavy population
pressures most of the seacoast became urbanized and half of the coastal dunes
disappeared.. A new plan for the coast (Kust 2002 Plan) has been prepared which fully
integrates conservation objectives with economic developments. Projects are also ongoing
to improve the conservation and management of coastal dunes.
Denmark
Denmark has an elaborate spatial planning, especially in the coastal zone, with a high
level of horizontal (cross-sectoral) integration and participation. The Danish Planning Act
stipulates communication between the state, the counties and the municipalities. Regional
plans (to be renewed every 4 years) usually provide guidelines for the rational use of coastal
areas including planning of recreational activities. A national ICZM policy does not exist. All
9

10. coastal counties are more or less actively involved in coastal zone management and
planning.
Germany
The organizational structure for decision making and planning in Germany involves
three different political levels of decision making: community, state and federal government.
The States (Länder) are the first responsible bodies for spatial planning and for coastal and
water management. Planning in the German coastal zone has a predominantly sectoral
character, with little integration of land and sea. All natural ecosystems in the coastal zone
ale protected.
Netherlands
There is a long tradition of integrated planning in the Netherlands as a result of the
population density and high economic development pressures. Planning frameworks for all
sectors are made at a national level and they are usually tuned to each other because their
development is a long process involving many stakeholders, ministries and the Parliament.
Cicin-Sain and Knight (1998) consider the Netherlands to be the world leader in ICZM for
coastal defence and in harmonization of national coastal and ocean policies.
United Kingdom
National policies and regional strategies form the framework for coastal management
in the UK. In England and Wales coastal management is strongly determined by instruments
such as National Parks, Heritage Coasts and properties of national NGO's (e.g. National Trust,
RSPB, local trusts). Management initiatives are locally based, non-statutory, cross-sectoral
plans, implemented through voluntary partnerships. Local management initiatives often
feature strong public consultation. Examples of this are the various Estuary Management
Plans. Primarily based upon sea defense interests, also many Shoreline Management Plans
are currently developing (in principle for all "coastal cells"). Various sources conclude that
the complicated and strongly sectoral legal framework will hamper effective ICZM. As a
result of extensive EC-funding for UK -projects in the context of the EU Demonstration
Program for ICZM and the Estuary Management Plans the UK is quickly developing local
experience.
10

11. 3) Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management
Strategy:
i. Principles:
Management plans for coastal erosion should be based on the principle of working
with natural processes. The EUROSION recommendations [1] propose four concepts to assist
in making this principle operational: The coastal sediment cell, Coastal resilience, favourable
sediment status, and Strategic sediment reservoir.
Coastal sediment cell: We already encountered the coastal sediment cell in the previous
chapter, where it was defined as a coastal compartment that contains a complete cycle of
sedimentation including sources, transport paths and sinks. The cell boundaries delineate
the geographical area within which the budget of sediment is determined, providing the
framework for the quantitative analysis of coastal erosion and accretion. In this respect,
coastal sediment cells constitute the most appropriate units for achieving the objective of
favourable sediment status and hence coastal resilience.
Favourable sediment status: EUROSION proposed the introduction of the concept of
favourable sediment status as the cornerstone for sustainable shoreline management to
European legislation but this was not realized. It is defined as the situation where the
availability of coastal sediments supports the objective of promoting coastal resilience in
general and of preserving dynamic coastlines in particular. A neutral or positive sediment
balance is often required to arrive at this favorable status.
Strategic sediment reservoir: Strategic sediment reservoirs are supplies of sediment of
‘appropriate’ characteristics that are available for replenishment of the coastal zone, either
temporarily (to compensate for losses due to extreme storms) or in the long term (at least
100 years). They can be identified offshore, in the coastal zone (both above and below low
water) and in the hinterland. It is recognized that many coastal erosion problems are caused
by a human induced imbalance in the sediment budget. Natural sediment sources are
depleted by sand mining activities, trapped in river reservoirs upstream or fixed by coastal
engineering structures. Restoring this balance will require identifying areas where essential
sediment processes occur, and identifying strategic sediment reservoirs from where
sediment can be taken without endangering the natural balance.
11

12. ii. Existing defense structures:
GROYNES: One of the most frequently used protection types used to stabilize the coast.
They are help build up beach material by preventing longshore drift. Groynes build up
beaches at a small scale & are cheaper than sea walls. Groynes can reduce the amount of
sediment down coast, which may have an effect on areas elsewhere (as these areas might
iment
get starved of material and their beaches get smaller). They also have a short lifespan.
SEA WALLS: Vertical or sloping structures, built along the shoreline in an attempt to stop
erosion and can be constructed from any type of material e.g. from sand
material- sand-filled bags to
reinforced concrete structures. Often controversial as they are ugly and can be destroy
destroyed
eventually. Waves scour at the bases of the walls & eventually undermine them, causing
failure. As a result, seawalls only provide temporary protection before needing replacement.
They are expensive. The object of defence work is to dissipate wave energ (beaches do this
energy
very well) whereas sea walls have the opposite effect walls concentrate wave energy and
effect-
reflects it back at the sea. The wall receives maximum impact which weakens the structure.
ROCK ARMOUR (RIP-RAP): Large boulders that work in a similar way to seawalls, but they
similar
are permeable structures. They are able to dissipate wave energy by absorbing the impact of
the waves. Rip-rap structures do not suffer from the wave scour that afflict the seawalls.
rap
Clearly, masses of boulders are much cheaper than sea walls & are longer lasting. However,
cheaper
they are pretty unappealing to the eye & can reduce the recreational value of the beach.
They can also act as groynes & can prevent down drift movement of sediment. And also we
do have REVETMENTS and GABIONS which are the part of Hard Engineering.
GABIONS
12

13. BEACH NOURISHMENT: Replacement of sand/pebbles on eroding beaches. The best
example is the nourishment of beaches at Miami Beach where 17.7 million m³ of sediment
was dredged & moved to the beach to provide an area for recreation & also to protect the
expensive properties that were found in the location. The problem with beach nourishment
is that one severe storm event may remove vast amounts of the expensive sediment.
BEACH RESHAPING: Sand dunes and cliffs are a natural sea defence. They dissipate wave
energy and protect the area behind from flooding. They are stabilised by fences or by
planting grasses to hold the sand and rocks together. This is cheap and effective but easily
damaged by people if not maintained.
MANAGEMENT RETREAT or COASTAL REALIGNMENT: This is where in certain areas, the sea
is allowed to reclaim (flood) the land that was once covered by the sea. This often means
that farmland is lost, but the pressures of floods are reduced because it creates salt marshes
that can be flooded and can absorb the energy. A natural and long-term sustainable solution
and does require compensation for land that is lost.
Positive and Negative impact of Coastal realignment:
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
Cheaper in the long term as structures Farmland and livelihoods lost
not having to be maintained
Sea levels rising- can’t expect to keep People’s homes will be sacrificed
position of the current coastline
Will produce wetland, which would have Coastal realignment, but for how long?
huge wildlife potential Where do you draw the boundary? Can
you keep retreating?
Only giving back what naturally belongs Cost of compensation will be extremely
to the sea high.
Salt marshes absorb tidal/wave energy Can’t be adopted in built-up areas
and reduce the impact of flooding
13

14. II. INDICATORS:
1) Selected innovative Defense structures:
i. Wave energy converters:
Wave Energy Converters: are "smart" wave generation systems, which use uniquely,
shaped buoys to capture and convert wave energy into low-cost, clean electricity. The float
rise and fall with up and down motion, lifting force, change of water level, hydraulic air lock,
and incident flux of waves.
The motion of the floats is then delivered to shore by a subsea cable. The Shore-
located, machinery room”/hydro pneumatic system (located on land, just like a regular
power station), converts the energy from this motion into fluid pressure, which is used to
spin a generator, producing electricity. The floats are attached by robust arms to any type of
structure, such as (but not limited to) breakwaters, peers, poles, and floating and fixed
platforms. The system is Aesthetically pleasing, does not have any noise pollution, does not
generate solid waste or wastewater, does not have any gaseous emissions and is totally
clean and pollution free.
At large scale commercial size sea wave power plants, the waves will enable the lifting of up
to 100 floats in turn. This will enable a continuous energy production and a smooth output.
The total wave power potential of the world is 2 x 10 6MW. The tidal energy is wavering with
250Kw available from December to March, 75Kw between April to November and has peak
value of 150Kw. The economics of wave energy power, though not yet competitive with
fossil fuels, are promising and the situation is improving with more advanced technology.
Capital costs for 100MW installation is $1200 to $1500/Kw with operating costs of 5 cents /
Kwh & load factor around 20%. Estimated international cost for power from wave energy is
around 9.2 C/KwH.
14

15. Fig5: Wave energy converter
ii. Natural barriers
It is well known that that partial or complete removal of tree cover may accelerate water
discharge and increase flood risk during the rainy season. So, one of the prevention method
of flooding can be deforestation or afforestation. It will protect soils and reduce erosion
rates and the amount of runoff, thus, preserves the coastal area.
However, more important defense against such coastal hazards as flooding and erosion are
coastal wetlands and coastal vegetation. These buffers absorb wave energy and floodwaters,
helping to minimize damage to coastal areas.
Its idea is to restore or preserve coastal vegetated areas, which provide natural barriers to
coastal flooding and erosion, reducing the cost of maintaining sea walls and other coastal
defenses.
The natural coastal defense structures of North Sea region that have low environmental
impact on the environment are salt marshes, bottom vegetation plants such as seagrasses
and biogenic reefs.
Seagrasses are the only flowering plants that can live
underwater. They can be found in Europe from the intertidal zone at the shore to depths
down to 50-60 m. The functions that provide seagrasses are weakening of the waves
60
(depends on the seagrass density, the canopy height over the water depth and the rigidity of
canopy
15

16. the plant), protection of the hinterland from flooding and stabilizing the seabed.
Biogenic reefs are rocky marine habitats or biological concretions that were created by
animals that rise from the seabed. They help to break and mitigate the power of waves and
have an important regulation role in European coastal and deep seas, providing a range of
goods and services such as storm protection and flood control.
Salt marshes are areas in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and salty or
brackish water, occupied by salt tolerant plants such as herbs, grasses or low shrubs. These
salt-tolerant
plants have extensive root systems, which enable them to survive during storm buffering
storms,
the impact on upland areas. If the up shore migration of the marsh is physically blocked by a
up-shore
dike or seawall the marsh might be squeezed between the rising sea level and the fixed
barrier- the principle of ‘coastal squeeze’. This leads to the loss of the many important
ecosystem services. One of several ‘soft’ engineering options to avoid coastal squeeze is
managed realignment. It means breaching an existing coastal defense, such as a sea wall or
an embankment, and allowing the land behind to be flooded by the incoming tide. This land
is then left to be occupied by saltmarsh vegetation that helps to reduce wave energy,
erosion rates during storm events and provides an important habitat for coastal flora and
fauna. This offers numerous environmental benefits and is often seen as the cheap and
environmental
sustainable coastal defense option. However, it is not used in Germany, the Netherlands and
Belgium because of lack of public support and economical reasons. In order to mitigate and
reduce adverse effects of flooding and erosion it is necessary to preserve ecosystems that
f
provide natural weapons against these hazards.
iii. Floating urbanization and benchmarking
benchmarking:
Floating urbanization regarding flood is a way of adaptation to flood disasters The
disasters.
new concept of the amphibious house in lowland area as a flood mitigation strategy is one of
the eco-innovative responses for the coastal flood defense. It evaluates the awareness and
innovative
16

17. acceptance level of flood plain settlers to consider amphibious house as a safe shelter for
dwelling in lowland area (Mohamad I.M. et al, 2012). The transfer from a water-abandoned
city to an amphibious city being a flood response strategy also opens new opportunities for
cities. Floating or amphibious urbanization has such benefits as: Cost efficiency,
environmental friendly, easy to construct, durability, suitable mooring and movement
system, risk flexibility and adaptability, new surface for habitat (instead of land)
Floating urbanization could also be applied for recreational reason or to allow rivers to
find their own space and even regarding to economical issues. Requiring the later on new
construction within floodplains, and considering same for threatened shorelines, is one way
to plan for the future. Although floating homes near the coast need protected waters, wave
attenuation through wave walls and dykes (as used in Europe) are a future possibility.
There are two types of floating buildings, permanently floating homes and homes that
are sit on the ground during the dry season and float only when flood waters swell. If rivers
rise above their banks, the houses simply rise upwards as well. During flash flood, the entire
community, with its houses and shops is automatically afloat. Floating houses considered as
an approach with the advantage of flexibility in both vertical direction (moving with a
fluctuating water level) and horizontal direction to float the buildings whereas. Amphibious
house based on the similar concept but limited for horizontal movement. However, both of
the approaches are used in water side locations as solutions for floating urbanization.
Why is it eco-innovation? Floating houses has been a well known concept. The
earliest houseboats were officially recorded in 1905 (1). Innovation is in consideration
floating urbanization as a whole concept for float defense strategy and novel sustainable
form of human habitat. Building floating urban areas is the next obvious step, as
development pressure is making terrestrial resources increasingly scarce. Floating
urbanization is compatible with important sustainability goal – energy use and water
storage. Water is very good at absorbing and retaining heat from the sun, so this energy can
be used for heating and cooling floating buildings. When the sea level rises and salt water
penetrates further inland via the rivers and groundwater, the country’s fresh water supply
comes under wide-scale pressure: floating buildings can contain their own fresh-water
supplies to avoid this problem. Building on water also provides a safe haven for residents
living in flood prone areas.
17

18. Benchmarking: The concept of floating housing is currently widely implemented in
the Netherlands. This country has a long history of fight and coexistence with water areas.
The vision of the modern Netherlands’ innovative architects and planners is to build entire
floating cities with floating infrastructures – roads, shops, parks as well as homes. The
concept is catching on as it can be adapted to anywhere in the world, but especially where
there are deltas vulnerable to flooding or islands at risk of disappearing under the sea.
One of the examples of such floating urban area is the village of Maasbommel in central
eastern Netherlands. It is the site of a pilot housing project, in which the construction
company Dura Vermeer has been trying out its new designs for ‘floating urbanization’. The
village of Masbommel is an ideal location because it is regularly exposed to high water levels
and as a result the underlying ground is becoming less stable. In 2010 there were already 32
houses with an amphibious design that float when the water rises and 12 houses which float
all the time (European Environmental Agency, 2010).
The village of Maasbommel, Netherlands
Amsterdam, IJ Lake. Lightweight 3 story steel
homes are supported by concrete “tubs” submerged in the water to a depth of half a story. Bedrooms are on the lowest
floor.
18

19. Another example of floating urban area is a project of IJburg neighborhood in Amsterdam,
Netherlands, which is currently on a stage of construction (http://www.rohmer.nl, 2010). 75
(http://www.rohmer.nl
modern floating homes by Architectenbur
Architectenbureau Marlies Rohmer use docks as sidewalks and
the IJ Lake as a backyard. The flotilla is a large scale adaptive development in a country that
large-scale
will be disproportionately affected with rising sea.
2) The D
D.P.S.I.R framework for Coastal
ork
defense systems:
Here the idea is to evaluate coastal defense issue within the DPSIR framework. In
issue
order to avoid any risk of potential confusion, the following framework focuses on what we
decided to qualify as “facts” or “events” (in order to make the difference with indicato
indicators).
19

20. 3) Suggested measurements within the
sustainability framework:
For wave energy converter indicators:
Their Signal Effect: It produces green energy supply without GHGs and the action of the
wave absorbers reduces the shoreline and breakwaters erosion. Wave energy converter
creates awareness about eco-innovation and green energy. It clearly shows the benefits of
sustainability
Their Incentive effect: It reflects the benefit of green energy supply with no emission!
It will reduce the use of fossil fuel in generating electricity hence reducing GHGs!
For Natural barriers indicators:
Their Signal effect: The lands that are at risk of flooding and erosion could be protected by
mechanisms provided by nature.
Their Incentive effect on society to preserve environment in order to prevent economic
losses from natural hazards
The Analytical insight: The shift from artificial coastal defense systems to natural will
“green” the whole economy –instead of struggling with the nature society will use
ecosystem functions not only to reduce costs of flooding and erosion but also to get benefits
from ecosystem good and services.
For floating urbanization indicators:
Their Signal effect:
Eco-innovation indicators will focus on the capacity of innovating, rather than the state of
the environment. Floating urbanization is an innovative engineering solution that helps
governments and individuals reduce economic and human losses.
Furthermore, floating urbanization is a type of response indicator that boosts the greening
of the economy since it is a solution that does not fight against nature. On the contrary, it
helps people and infrastructures adapt to the risk of flooding.
- Decrease level of risk and harmful impact from flooding to urban environment
(population, economy etc).
- effectiveness of solution
20

21. Their Incentive effect
– live with nature – towards adaptation philosophy, don’t fight with nature, but adapt
to natural conditions
– Shift towards renewable energy sources, new schemes of socio-economic activities,
and improve society’s relationship with the environment.
The Analytical insight:
Floating urbanization creates a total change of habitat form, because it modifies social,
economic, technical, regulation, environmental systems.
Due to the almost endless number of potential indicators regarding Coastal defense
management systems, we decided to focus on the ones that seem more relevant to us. We
decided to split our indicators within three key sectors that are the pillars of sustainability:
Environmental indicators: Reflect trends in the state of the environment. They are
descriptive in nature if they describe the state of the environment in relation to a particular
issue (e.g., eutrophication, loss of biodiversity or over-fishing). They become performance
indicators if they compare current conditions with targeted ecological conditions.
Economic indicators: They help measure the improved quality of life in coastal areas,
as well as in sustainable socioeconomic benefits.
Social indicators: Allows getting viable information about the population awareness
regarding the whole management strategy. In some cases the defense strategy might
require from one part of the population to move to a less favorable place; which might
generate hostility and lack of support upon the project.
EXAMPLES OF COASTAL DEFENSE INDICATORS
ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL ECONOMIC OTHER
Rainfall and rainfall Number of GDP per capita Construction
frequency research materials
companies or
institutions
Climate change Number of houses Cost of construction Number of natural
(temperature) destroyed of cost-defense barriers
structures
21

22. Sea level rise Flood resilience Number of Number of
constructions protective
techniques
Mean sea level Recovery time Coastal area risk Infrastructure
management budget permeability
Tide height Number of Restoration costs Share of floating
prevention action urban areas and non-
plans floating located in
flood risk areas
Flood duration Number of Capital value of Percentage of
evacuation plans losses floating (on water
and ground based)
buildings
Flood frequency Number of Number of Performance of
restored areas infrastructures, per floating and non-
type floating urban areas
Location of flooded area Population growth Number of Resilience of coastal
infrastructures defense solutions to
located in vulnerable higher rates of
areas climate change
Shoreline position Population density Yield of agricultural
products
Available space for Urbanization Poverty level
construction (urbanized areas
location and
surface)
Wind speed and Number of building Ecological
direction code regulations importance value
Vegetation surface Population Extra payment for
reduction or increase and adaptability
floating system
location
Terrain elevation Individual risk Type of marine
perception activities
Land use modification Population at risk Waste production
(expansion/reduction)
Soil permeability Flood vulnerability Industrialization
Wave energy period Importance of Costs of
applying flood maintenance
protection
strategies
EXAMPLES OF COASTAL DEFENSE INDICATORS
ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL ECONOMIC OTHER
Wave height Social Cost of energy by
accceptability for source
changes
Wave direction Percentage of Comparison of
people talking management costs
22

23. effective action
Type of current Number of deaths Cost of destroyed
related to flooding properties
Type and density of Number of Cost of the health
coastal vegetation vulnerable problems affected by
people(elder and flooding
infirm) located in
the floodplain
Salinization of soils Number of people Costs od adaptation
suffering long term of existing flood and
health affects coastal defense
(stress due to schemes
flooding)
Coast type Social Number of coastal
accceptability for defense structures
changes that have bad
environmental effect
(cause erosion)
The contribution of flood
and coastal erosion risk
management to national
biodiversity targets
Number of schemes, area
or length of coastal
realignment
Conclusion
Although the steps in this Frame are logical and rational, the practice of erosion
management shows that and endless number of potential indicators are unused. Indicators
are entire part of the sustainable coastal management strategy. According to the EUROSION
2OO8 report, Coastal state indicators are often not monitored regularly and evaluations are
seldom performed. This hampers an effective and sustainable solution to the problem. It
also makes erosion control practices less transparent and thus difficult. The North Sea region
is a good example of several initiatives for coastal defense risk management, but a lot of
effort has to be made in order to broaden sustainable systems and this will surely witness
the devising of new types of indicators in a macro coastal level.
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