Alternative approaches to coastal hazard zone management

Abstract

An examination of the issues and implications posed by present coastal hazard zone management approaches was made. It was found that the recent shift in emphasis from relying solely on engineering measures to use of planning and legislative controls raised a number of important matters. These included the range of management responses considered by decision-makers, the types of techniques used to define hazard zones, the implementation and administration of hazard zones, and the implications of hazards responses for affected residents.

The common theme that emerged was that the current management approaches do not represent the full range of potential choices that decision-makers could consider. It is suggested that consideration of a wider range of approaches, based on insurance, would not only increase the options available to decision-makers, but would also offer an opportunity to provide management for both existing and future hazard sites. This suggestion also appears to be complementary to other adopted responses.

A number of alternatives are developed and the implications for coastal hazards policy discussed. It is concluded that insurance provides a useful contribution towards developing a comprehensive approach to coastal hazard zone management.