Designing Resilient Coastal Communities with Living Shorelines

Abstract

Coastal cities face flood-related hazards exacerbated by climate change and sea level rise, including erosion, storm surge, high wave events, and increased flood frequencies. In order to minimize flood damage and prolong the use of coastal lands, nature-based infrastructure and living shorelines can provide habitat, dissipate wave energy, and maintain people’s connection to the water. In this chapter, the living shorelines approach to planning, designing, and evaluating resilient coastal communities is described and evaluated for two different communities on the island of O’ahu, Hawai’i. One is a rural, high energy wave environment, Sunset Beach, while the other is a medium wave energy, urban resort district, Waikiki Beach. After identifying flood risks over time, site-specific restoration of coastal sand dunes, vegetation (groundcover, shrubs, trees), and coral reefs are proposed through interactive visualization methods alongside supporting case studies. The principles, tools, and techniques for planners, designers, and practitioners involved in coastal hazard mitigation and adaptation are described. Future research needs are identified such as quantify flood mitigation effectiveness; measure costs and benefits; and enact policies to require consideration and ease implementation of living shorelines.