More information
Description
The project “COAST4US – Application of the COAST tool to the Portuguese coast” is promoted by R5e Consulting Engineers in partnership with R5m Marine Solutions and the University of Aveiro, with the support of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).It aims to develop a study about the economic potential of the application of the COAST tool – an innovative and unique software on the market able to perform cost-benefit analyses on coastal defence interventions – that allows a more efficient planning of the coastal interventions by the public entities. The tool results from a research line dedicated to technological innovations applied to public policies for the Ocean, in the field of coastal protection due to erosion phenomena and consequent adaptation to the effects of climate change. This project aims also to foster economic growth, business development and increase the competitiveness of a Portuguese company in the field of Blue Growth.The added values resulting from the application of this tool are of interest to the APA, which supports and highlights its relevance and importance for the country regarding the management and protection of coastal areas. To that extend, the main objective of this project is to apply the COAST software to the main risk zones of the Portuguese west coast, identified by the APA based on the historical data and monitoring resulting from the COSMO program: Aveiro, Figueira da Foz e Costa da Caparica.To achieve these objectives, the below actions are defined: - Collection and pre-processing of the information, which includes the physical characterization and economic evaluation of the study area and the identification of the costs of the coastal defence interventions (University of Aveiro); - COAST implementation, including the definition of possible intervention scenarios, the physical modelling of the scenarios and the economic feasibility of the interventions, in terms of cost-benefit relationship (R5 Marine Solutions);
Summary of project results
The COAST4US project aimed to address the growing challenges of coastal erosion and climate change in Portugal. Coastal erosion poses significant risks to communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems along the country''s coastline. The project was designed to explore ways to protect these areas by evaluating the feasibility of coastal defense solutions.
To achieve this, the project team – including R5e Consulting Engineers, R5m Marine Solutions, and the University of Aveiro, with support from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) – focused on assessing the technical and economic viability of various coastal defense measures. The team conducted eight key activities: managing the project, collecting and processing data, applying the COAST tool, and sharing results. These activities included creating detailed models for the areas of São Jacinto, Cabo Mondego, and Costa de Caparica, all of which face serious erosion problems. The project delivered valuable insights into the cost-effectiveness of different interventions, helping public and private authorities make informed decisions about coastal management.
The project''s main outcomes included the identification of economically viable intervention scenarios. For example, in Aveiro, 38% of the proposed scenarios were found to be economically viable, while Figueira da Foz and Costa de Caparica showed 38% and 36% viability, respectively. These findings helped prioritize interventions and offered a clear pathway for sustainable coastal protection. One unintended result was the increase in awareness among local stakeholders and authorities about the importance of addressing coastal erosion proactively. The impact of the project has been significant for the communities and regions involved. By providing a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of potential interventions, the project has helped authorities prioritize actions that offer the most value for money. It has also contributed to long-term planning by establishing a sustainable coastal management strategy that will continue to benefit coastal areas in the future. The COAST4US project is a prime example of how innovative methods can be applied to real-world environmental challenges. It has made a lasting contribution to the protection of Portugal’s coastline, reducing the costs of interventions and ensuring that the country is better equipped to face the challenges of coastal erosion and climate change.