Solutions to Fight Coastal Erosion

of different protective measures (box 5.4). Such simulations allow for closer inspection of different measures and their effects and can hence aid decision-making in an evidence-based manner before implementation. These studies are sparse, however, often because comprehensive analyses of sediment budgets and coastal-flow dynamics are lacking. Hence, prospective investigations lack the foundational information they

BOX 5.4

Rosetta Promontory: Computational Modeling of Solutions to Fight Coastal Erosion

The use of data, monitoring, and analysis through computational modeling of hydrodynamics and sediment processes is essential in assessing solutions for combating coastal erosion. An example of this praxis is the evaluation of different solutions to stabilize the Rosetta promontory at the northern end of Egypt’s Nile delta coast. Morphological and hydrodynamic studies and computational modeling assessed the effects of different solutions (such as hard and soft measures as well as nearshore and beach nourishment) on the stability of the Rosetta promontory. This is important in understanding which solutions can work most effectively while accordingly increasing the efficiency of the planning and management process.

Different nourishment interventions (and at different volumes) were assessed regarding their impacts on the stabilization of the Rosetta promontory. One set of scenarios is for nearshore nourishment and another set for beach nourishment. The latter is the focus here as an example of the use of Coastal Modeling System software to analyze morphological changes of potential beach nourishment interventions.

One solution set compares the results of different nourishment-placement scenarios around the river mouth (involving a nourishment volume of 300,000 cubic meters) with those of a no-action scenario. The analysis predicted that introducing beach nourishment on the western headland is the optimal solution. It would help reduce coastal erosion on the western side of the promontory while decreasing the accretion inside the outlet of the river mouth; however, the eastern side of the promontory would still be subject to coastal erosion (Masria, Abdelaziz, and Negm 2015).

The modeling also assessed the impacts of various soft and hard measures to arrive at an optimal solution for the stability of the Rosetta promontory. The impact of beach nourishment as a soft-defense solution in combination with different hard-defense solutions were simulated using computational modeling. The resulting optimal solution is to provide 300,000 cubic meters of beach nourishment on the western side and nearshore nourishment on the east side and a 360-meter jetty on the east side of the river mouth. The analysis predicted this scenario to be the optimal solution because it could combat coastal erosion threatening the stability of the seawalls, reduce accretion inside the outlet of the river mouth, and decrease wave height at the outlet as well (Masria, Abdelaziz, and Negm 2015).

require—a situation that emphasizes the need for such comprehensive analyses for the various shorelines of Middle East and North Africa economies as well as for specific hot spots of coastal erosion.

Making data and information openly available and easily accessible for academic research and for development purposes is of paramount importance to spur research on coastal erosion and its drivers. The complexity of this task requires a deep understanding of the various dynamics and characteristics of the Middle East and North Africa’s shores—including, as already mentioned, local geomorphological specificities, wave dynamics, and sediment transport, among others. Increasing research—both academic and applied (for example, for the establishment of ICZM schemes)—and strengthening the knowledge base about these issues is crucial for choosing appropriate policy responses and implementing a holistic ICZM scheme.

These efforts should identify not only the most effective strategies to combat coastal erosion at specific hot spots but also the root causes of the erosion, requiring a broad set of different skills. This necessitates capacity building in a broad range of specialized fields such as coastal engineering, fluid mechanics, and urban planning. Furthermore, wide availability of data and easy access to these data—such as through websites showing the degree and evolution of coastal degradation and its causes—can increase public awareness about the issue of coastal erosion. This in turn will help build a broad base of support for some measures (such as strict zoning laws and potentially necessary plans for managed retreat) that may otherwise be met with some degree of discontent.

Comprehensive Policies and Actions for Reducing Coastal Erosion

ICZM, with its subcomponents, represents the overarching approach to mitigating coastal erosion effects and conducting broader coastal zone planning. It is an integrative approach that involves stakeholder participation, along with assessments of both existing development and future proposals, to identify hazards that potentially lead to coastal erosion. This section discusses ICZM and experience with it in the Middle East and North Africa and elsewhere. The issues discussed below are (a) prospective (forward-looking) management by identifying parts of the coast for strategic intervention (that is, zoning); and (b) reactive management and control measures, including hard and soft defenses as well as control policies such as managed retreat and dam regulations.

ICZM continuously assesses changes in the coastal landscape, identifies their drivers, and uses this information to plan and manage coastal development. Identifying the sources of coastal erosion is a necessary

prerequisite for planning and managing changes in the coastal landscape, whether they are caused by human development or natural forces. ICZM begins with (a) identifying stakeholders whose actions may influence these processes (for example, port authorities, fishers, hotels, utility service providers, nature conservation specialists, cultural heritage authorities, restaurants, technical specialists, and representatives of local communities); and (b) assessing the initial situation with the help of data collection, monitoring, and analysis. However, an ICZM scheme is premised on continuous integration of affected stakeholders and ongoing assessment of changes that certain management practices might have had on the coastal landscape. In the absence of a holistic planning process that incorporates the various involved parties, which ICZM represents, coastal erosion is likely to increase as development continues along the Middle East and North Africa’s coasts.

A multisector approach is crucial for long-term optimal socioeconomic outcomes and mutually beneficial trade-offs. ICZM is hence important in creating an integrated policy and technology intervention plan from the local to the regional level, and ideally the national or even international level, that optimizes the outcomes of combating coastal erosion and enabling coastal zones’ sustainability and economic opportunities for all stakeholders.

In the Middle East and North Africa, ICZM efforts regarding stakeholder inclusion started decades ago, with many lessons learned and areas for growth. Of the 22 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (9 of which are Middle East and North Africa economies), 10 have not yet begun to enforce the 2008 ICZM Protocol 10 from the Barcelona Convention, with Malta last to enter it into force in 2019 (UNEP 2020). Of these 10 countries, four are in the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia.

Most of the published work on ICZM in countries sharing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coasts (Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the Republic of Yemen) has focused only on capacity building and ecosystem-based management, including coral reef management—which helps combat coastal erosion but is not sufficient.

ICZM stakeholder engagement in Egypt began in 1996, resulting in the establishment of a national ICZM committee (including stakeholders) as well as a department of coastal and marine-zone management including divisions for the Mediterranean and the Red Sea coasts (AbulAzm, Abdel-Gelil, and Trumbic 2003). Additional recent initiatives in the region, such as Morocco’s ICZM scheme, are in the implementation stage (box 5.5).

To tackle issues related to climate change and its impact on the coasts, Egypt has taken steps to enhance the resilience of coastal settlements and