Managed realignment is able to reduce both coastal flooding and erosion. It is the deliberate process of altering flood defences to allow flooding of a presently defended area. Managing this process helps to avoid uncertain outcomes and negative impacts. It also helps to maximise the potential benefits (Leggett et al., 2004). A number of terms may be used as an alternative to managed realignment. These include managed retreat, dike realignment, dike (re)opening, de-embankment and de-polderisation.

The description of this technology originates from Linham and Nicholls (2010).

Description

Description

Coastal setbacks are ‘a prescribed distance to a coastal feature such as the line of permanent vegetation, within which all or certain types of development are prohibited (Cambers, 1998). A setback may dictate a minimum distance from the shoreline for new buildings or infrastructure facilities, or may state a minimum elevation above sea level for development. Elevation setbacks are used to adapt to coastal flooding, while lateral setbacks deal with coastal erosion.

The description of this technology originates from Linham and Nicholls (2010).