Christian P. de Meyer

Beach nourishment as efficient coastal protection

Coastal sections suffering from erosion generally show the common symptom of a lack of available sand to allow the build up of the natural coastal barrier. Soft methods of coastal protection, including beach nourishment, profile nourishment, feeder berms, compensation‐dredging, aim to tackle the problem at its source, i.e. by supplying sand to the system. When thoroughly designed, these methods are considered the best technical/economical and appropriate solutions.

Tourism and the coastal zone : the case of Belgium

Abstract The economic and human importance of the coastal zone, which is already considerable, is destined to increase rapidly as we near the next century. Owing to natural causes, compounded by anthropogenic actions, it is also under threat: erosion is steadily pushing back the shoreline. Tourism and shore recreation, major sources of income in the zone, are threatened. Various countermeasures have been taken, but often with disappointing results. Beach nourishment has shown great promise. The largest of such undertakings has recently been completed along a stretch of the Belgian coast.

Coastal Defense and Beach Renovation

Abstract Coastal erosion is a worldwide occurrence principally along sea shores but also along many lake shorelines. It has been reported in the literature for several decades. It encompasses considerable economic consequences, endangering, for instance, valuable properties. The rise in water level is a major cause of the phenomenon, but anthropic actions have also played an important part. Traditionally, eroding coastlines have been protected by civil engineering structures ranging from groins to seawalls. This approach, while providing local relief, has proven to generally transfer the problem from one geographical site to another. Replenishment of a depleted area by artificial nourishment, sometimes buttressed by some hard structures, has been tested and shown to help in rebuilding beaches and countering shore erosion. The largest such undertaking anywhere in the world has been carried out on the Belgian east coast. The successful results have led to a similar project on the west coast. This paper reviews various ‘hard’ defense approaches and describes beach nourishment at certain sites where it has been tried.

Case studies in coastal protection: Zeebrugge (Belgium) and Bali (Indonesia)

Abstract This paper deals with the largest beach nourishment project undertaken thus far (Zeebrugge). It discusses both the need for it and the technique used. The second case concerns Bali, where the demands for development have created stresses which caused problems requiring urgent remedy.