Aspects of Coastal Monitoring and Coastal Protection by Engineering Approaches, Focusing on The Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

In this review, aspects of coastal vulnerabilities have been pointed out, highlighting the importance of monitoring approaches and possible interventions by using engineering technologies to counteract coastal deterioration have been considered. This review coupled aspects related to the need for accurate monitoring procedures to detect coastal conditions and to control severe concerns affecting coasts, including sea level rise, offering possible solutions in the form of hard and nature-based engineering interventions. This study provided a focus on the hotspots of the Mediterranean coastal area. Innovative approaches in evidencing features of peculiar coastal sites and in providing countermeasures to be considered by local stakeholders and policy makers have been highlighted. Forthcoming investigations should include studies on engineering structures at coasts, focusing on natural based and hybrid engineering
approaches, combined with an important and constant monitoring activity both before and after engineering structures inclusion. This review can give insights into future research and into innovative proposals for coasts protection.