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What is Managed Realignment?

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Managed Realignment : A Viable Long-Term Coastal Management Strategy?

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science ((BRIEFSENVIRONMENTAL))

Abstract

Many definitions of managed realignment exist. The understanding of what the term actually represents in practice has evolved through time and varies regionally, across sectors and among practitioners. A common understanding of managed realignment is further complicated by the use of other related terms; sometimes synonymous with managed realignment while at other times reflecting different concepts. Terms such as managed retreat, setback, regulated tidal exchange, depoldering have all being used in the literature associated with managed realignment, many times inconsistently. The lack of clarity in the use of terminology has contributed to negative connotations expressed by some stakeholders and the general public. This chapter clarifies the terminology currently in use and proposes a wider definition of managed realignment so it can be applicable to encompass the many forms of implementation adopted worldwide. Within this broader context, managed realignment becomes a general term that can be used to describe collectively the many mechanisms implemented to allow coastlines to evolve more flexibly with the objective of promoting more sustainable flood and erosion risk management.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Low-lying areas, reclaimed from the sea and protected by embankments are called polders, a word of Dutch origin commonly used in northern Europe.

  2. 2.

    See, for example, the debate and documents about the project at Hable d’ Ault, at the coast of Picardy at: http://www.baiedesomme.org/actu/hable-dault-depolderiser-or-not-depolderiser-424.html.

  3. 3.

    The text of the protocol and other associated documents are available from: http://www.pap-thecoastcentre.org/itl_public.php?public_id=365&lang=en.

  4. 4.

    Information about the Regional Nature Reserve is available at: http://www.reserves-naturelles.org/polder-de-sebastopol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, BH12 5BB, Poole, Dorset, UK

    Luciana S. Esteves

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  1. Luciana S. Esteves
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Correspondence to Luciana S. Esteves .

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Esteves, L. (2014). What is Managed Realignment?. In: Managed Realignment : A Viable Long-Term Coastal Management Strategy?. SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9029-1_2

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