The structure of the book, outlined below, reflects our aim of emphasizing the current state of best practice coastal area planning and management.
Chapter 1
Coastal areas are introduced, how they are defined, and a brief history of coastal management is presented; the terminology used throughout the book is discussed.
Chapter 2
The major issues facing coastal managers today are discussed, together with the emerging issues likely to be of importance in the future.
Chapter 3
Principles of coastal planning and management are analysed. The chapter emphasizes sustainable development principles, and how governments are currently attempting to work towards the implementation of sustainable coastal policies and practices.
Chapter 4
In this chapter the overall theory of coastal planning and management is translated into on-the-ground actions. These actions are through a range of techniques, each of which is described with reference to real-world examples.
Chapter 5
Coastal planning aids and coastal management processes are described. The mechanisms and contents of plans and strategies at a range of scales are critically examined.
Chapter 6
This chapter draws together the major findings of the book and outlines possible future directions for the management and planning of the coast.