Coastal Erosion Literature Review

This literature review is presented in four parts. The first part touches on the general background of coastal studies in Malaysia. This includes the definition of the coastal zone as well. The second part covers the coastal erosion and its process. Such a description should enhance understanding of the coastal system and help to visualize the importance of Kuala Nerus coastal area as well as the need for Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) as the main custodian maintaining the coastal area. The third part concentrates on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), definition and the gist idea upon coastal erosion issue. Also, introduction on coastal defense structure. The fourth part, which is the last, focus on Gold Coast City Council,

This is not surprising as erosion has been identified as a major coastal problem in the country, as much as 1390 kilometer or 27% of the Malaysian coastline is presently subjected to the erosion of varying degrees of severity (Sharifah Mastura Syed Abdullah, 1992). Besides, coastal erosion seriously threatens the economic and human activities along the coastal zones (Jamaluddin, 1982).

Recent economic advancement in the coastline has led to a tremendous increase in development projects in the country, for instance, construction of airport track prolongs till the sea, agriculture sector, tourism activities and settlements houses. Apart from that, most of the coastline area is part of government assets and own by settlers. Less the coastline owns by private agencies like most of the developed countries. It is inevitable that coastal changes would cause monetary loss as well as stress among these coastal people who have to adjust their life after being relocated to safer ground (Wong,

Severe weather patterns responsible for beach erosion have happened in the past and will occur again in the future. The challenge is to provide engineered protection for existing developed areas to minimize the risks.

Coastal Defenses Structure

The coastal defenses structure has two types. The first one is hard engineer such breakers, groynes, seawall, bulkheads and revetment. There is more, but for Malaysia practice, I only list five type of structures. They are high technology, high cost, human made solutions. They do little to work with nature and sustainability is a key issue with them, despite their initial signs of success. The second type is soft engineering like beach nourishment and land management. It’s more like utilize natural resources to resolve natural phenomena, no construction needed. It usually cheap and help the environment.

Kuala Nerus do have sand coastal and currently, they managed to construct rock revetment in order to absorb wave energy from the other sides, as well as it side as well. Below are the type of coastal defense and its