InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Module 12: Sea level rise policy > Selecting Strategies > Structural Strategies
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: December 8, 2016

Structural Strategies

Unit 3 described many of the strategies that stakeholders can use to prepare for sea level rise. These are summarized in the table below, along with potential costs and benefits (cost-benefit analysis is discussed in more detail in the next section).

Structural strategies for preparing for sea level rise and related hazards.

Structure Type

Potential costs

Potential benefits

Hard Structure
DikesVulnerable to wave action and erosionExcellent protection against storm surge and moderate sea level rise
SeawallsExpensive to build; enhances erosion on the seaward side of the wall; limits access to and views of the waterStrong protection against storm surge, waves, and sea level rise
BreakwatersProvide only limited protection against storm surge and do not protect against sea level riseProtect against waves and erosion
GroinsEncourage down-drift erosionProvide limited protection against waves; can encourage up-drift accretion of sand and sediment
JettiesEncourage down-drift erosionStabilize and protect navigation channels at river mouths and tidal inlets
Soft Structures
Living shorelineCan be over-topped by high storm surgeStrong protection against erosion, moderate protection against low storm surge and wave action; if not blocked by roads, buildings or other impermeable cover, can retreat shoreward with sea level rise
Dune restorationSubject to erosion, may periodically require expensive re-nourishment with sandProvides strong protection against waves, most storm surge, and moderate sea level rise
Managed retreat / multi-layered protection
Managed retreatMoving or demolishing the most vulnerable structures can be very financially expensive and can damage the local community and economy if not done with care and sensitivityCan significantly reduce potential loss of life and property by moving homes and business out of the most exposed locations
Multi-layered protectionGenerally more expensive and complicated to implement than single- layer strategiesCan significantly reduce exposure compared to single-layer strategies
Smart Building
Elevated constructionMay not protect against waves; can add significantly to cost of constructionProtects against storm surge, applicable to many different building types
Floating constructionDoes not protect against wave damage; difficult to implement for many building types; difficult to connect utilitiesStrong protection against storm surge and gradual sea level rise

Activate Your Learning

This exercise is not for credit but you are required to understand this material for the formal assessments in this module.

Brainstorming Exercise

This table lists some of the most important costs and benefits for these strategies, but it is not exhaustive: depending on the natural and human context on which the strategy is implemented, it may have other costs and benefits in addition to those listed here. To explore these other possible costs and benefits, choose three of the strategies from the above table. For each of these three strategies, use the blanks below to list one other possible cost or benefit (not included in the table for that strategy). When answering, draw on the lessons you have already learned from this course, particularly in Unit 3.Strategy 1



Other Cost/Benefit of Strategy 1



Strategy 2



Other Cost/Benefit of Strategy 2



Strategy 3



Other Cost/Benefit of Strategy 3



These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »