88165 - Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Learning outcomes

The course aims to enhance and consolidate the level of knowledge of planning and decision making with reference to water and coastal management, with an emphasis on principles and tools in ICZM. The main connectivity and interactions between physical-geometric, natural and socio-economic data to manage the coastal areas will be discussed. At the end of the course, the student will learn the main aspects of coastal zone, be able to identify threats on coastal resources associated with human activities and understand planning and decision making with reference to water and coastal management. The student will be introduced to the application of decision-support tools that aid in the evaluation and assessment of water and coastal systems and can be used to guide decision-making efforts from process to strategic level.

Course contents

Introduction: coastal zone definition and classification.

Coastal geomorphology: rocky and sandy coasts; main processes and control factors

Main hydrodynamic processes in coastal area: waves, tides, currents, sea level.

Coastal morphodynamics: morphological and hydrodynamic beach profiles; sediment properties and sediment dynamics.

Monitoring of coastal environments: integration, advantages and limitations of different techniques.

Coastal risks: Risks associated with rocky and sandy coasts; coastal erosion (natural and anthropogenic causes, possible management strategies); coastal resilience; adaptation and mitigation actions. DSS in water and coastal risk management (along with several examples: oil spill, bathing water, coastal flooding, coastal erosion, marine/plastic litter)

Coastal defences: rigid and soft coastal defences; approaches and good practices of sustainable management in coastal area.

ICZM-MSP approaches: Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Maritime Spatial Planning approaches for protection, management and sustainable use of resources in coastal and marine environments; reference legislation; ongoing projects and examples from the Emilia-Romagna Region.

IWRM: Integrated Management of Water Resources in coastal area: principles and applications.

Coastal databases and geoportals: EMODnet, Copernicus, RER database, etc.

Readings/Bibliography

Power point slides will be available to students on the specific website (Virtuale UNIBO).

Recommended texts:

Davidson-Arnott R., Bauer B, Houser C. 2019. Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology. 2° Edition, Cambridge University Press

Richard A. Davis Jr, Duncan M. Fitzgerald (2004). Beaches and Coasts. Blackwell Publishing .

Integrated Coastal Zone Management: status, challenges and prospects. Ahlhorn F. (2018). Springer Link

Global challenges in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (2013). Editors: Moksness E., Dahl E., Stottrup J.

Other readings will be indicated as supplementary material during the lectures.

Teaching methods

The course consists of 6 CFU.

The teaching strategy will be based on lectures explaining coastal definitions and classifications; coastal morphodynamic and main coastal risks, such as sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, etc. The course will provide an understanding of coastal zone planning and management by covering principles and tools of ICZM, as well as IWRM (Integrated Water Resource Management).

The course also includes a field trip along the Emilia-Romagna coast to observe examples of good practises, solutions, interventions, etc.

Considering the type of activities and the adopted teaching methods, the attendance of this training activity requires the participation of all students in the safety training modules 1 and 2, in e-learning mode.

Assessment methods

The assessment method will be based on a panel discussion where each student will present a case study (power point presentation), focusing on the main topics of the course. The project will have to include suggestions of best practices, strategies and guideline to promote the sustainable coastal management of the study area or to promote an efficient water management of the study area. Professor and classmates will actively participate to the discussion by asking questions.

20’ oral presentation + 5’ discussion

Teaching tools

Power point slides, scientific papers

Field trip along the Emilia-Romagna coast

Office hours

See the website of Beatrice Maria Sole Giambastiani

See the website of Andrea Valentini