hard vs soft engineering

Question 1

what are the arguments for hard engineering?

Answer 1

• sloping walls absorb rather than reflect energy
• easy to repair
• cost less than the damage coastal erosion could cost
• prevent loss of property

Question 2

what are the arguments against hard engineering?

Answer 2

• expensive
• eyesore
• caused increased rates of coastal erosion further down coast
• can trap sediment - leaving beaches downshore depleted
• maintaining them costs a lot of money
• loss of or damage to the natural environment
• people are not compensated for any land they lose

Question 3

what are the arguments for soft engineering?

Answer 3

• The beach can absorb all of the wave energy, ascting as a natural defence
• work with the environment
• cheaper
• 25% cheaper than hard engineering
• cost of maintenance is not as high
• people are compensated for any land they lose due to managed retreat

Question 4

what are the arguments against soft engineering?

Answer 4

• beach takes up more space than a hard engineering scheme
• short-term loss of land
• beaches have to be replenished every 10 years
• if material is dredged from the sea bed in order to replenish a beach this can cause wave refraction at that point and change natural currents