Policy Options for Coastal Protection: Integrating Inland Water Management with Coastal Management for Greater Community Resilience

Abstract

Coastal cliff collapse is a problem faced along many shorelines the world over, especially as cliffs tend to be affected by global climate change. Problems of cliff collapse can benefit from interdisciplinary policy responses that synthesize principles of three paradigms: integrated watershed management, integrated coastal zone management, and water-sensitive urban design. This exploratory, largely empirical research looks at how local and national policies address coastal cliff collapse along Israel’s Mediterranean seashore, in a way that highlights impediments and opportunities for integrated planning. Findings emphasize the importance of addressing urban runoff to prevent coastal cliff collapse using practices originating based on the three paradigms. Conclusions provide insights about policies that could improve the resilience of coastal communities suffering from coastal cliff collapse in the era of climate change. Particularly, greater cross-scale (regional and national) efforts are needed to coordinate proper drainage of the watershed that along coastal cliffs involves integrating principles of watershed management, coastal management, and urban design practices. These should be aimed at implementing practices that reduce phenomena that lead to cliff destabilization, such as ensuring runoff diversion and implementing building setbacks. The case study research leads to recommendations for policy mechanisms that provide opportunities to implement such practices.