Local comprehensive beach management plans are an important and effective management tool for local governments. These plans provide guidance to state and federal agencies on local policies, regulations, and procedures related to beachfront management. These plans are also an important resource for beachfront emergency response and damage assessment programs.

Integrated coastal zone management is a process of good governance that guides decision-making on the equitable allocation and sustainable use of natural resources. Integrated Planning and Management of Natural Resources describes systematic planning procedures for writing a hierarchy of strategic, zoning, management, and action plans. These plans can be adapted to any coastal management area in order to realize the social, economic, and environmental benefits that can be derived from spatially allocating, developing, and regulating the use of its diverse natural resources.

First Published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The first comprehensive tool-kit for coastal planners and those aiming to achieve effective coastal management worldwide. Coastal Planning and Management provides a link between planning and management tools and thus includes all stages in the process, from development through evaluation to implementation. Drawing on examples of successful coastal planning and management from around the world, the authors provide clear and practical guidelines for the people who make daily decisions about the world's coastlines. Coastal Planning and Management is an invaluable resource for professionals in environmental and planning consultancies, international organizations and governmental departments, as well as for academics and researchers in the local and international fields of geography, marine and environmental science, marine and coastal engineering and marine policy and planning.

The effect of manmade activities is primarily local but can extend far away from the location of intervention. This underlines the importance of establishing coastal zone management plans covering large stretches of coastlines. In recent years, interest in Low Crested Structures (coastal defense structures with a low-crest) has been growing together with awareness of the sensitivity to environmental impacts produced by coastal defenses. The relation between wave climate, beach erosion, beach defence means, habitat changes and beach value, which clearly exists based on EC research results, suggests the necessity of an integrated approach when designing coastal protection schemes. In accordance with this need, the present design guidelines cover structure stability and construction problems, hydro and morphodynamic effects, environmental effects (colonisation of the structure and water quality), societal and economic impacts (recreational benefits, swimming safety, beach quality). Environmental Design Guidelines for Low Crested Coastal Structures is specifically dedicated to Low Crested Structures, and provides methodological tools both for the engineering design of structures and for the prediction of performance and environmental impacts of such structures. A briefing of current best practice for local and national planning authorities, statutory agencies and other stakeholders in the coastal zone is also covered. Presented in a generic way, this book is appropriate throughout the European Union, taking into account current European Commission policy and directives for the promotion of sustainable development and integrated coastal zone management. - Fills the gap between engineering and ecology in coastal defense planning - Shows the reader how to perform an integrated design of coastal defense schemes - Presents latest insights on hydro-morphodynamics induced by structures - Provides directly applicable tools for the design of low crested structures - Highlights socio-economic perspectives in coastal defense design