ABOUT THE PROJECT
Coastal management approaches are fragmented and differentiated across the UK, with the complexity of varying institutional responsibilities and frameworks, uncertainty in funding and data, as well as resource limitations creating challenges for development decision-making and planning policymaking within coastal authorities. Through practitioner and policymaker workshops, the research will explore how explore how planners working in communities at risk of coastal change and flooding in Northern Ireland and England interpret and manage the uncertainties this creates. The research will provide practical recommendations for practitioners and policy makers and identify shared priorities across these nations, supporting the long-term resilience of coastal communities.
PROJECT LEADs
Dr Malachy Buck
London South Bank University
Locations:
England and Northern Ireland
Project duration:
1 February – 1 November
Project Partners
Project Funders
The Challenge
The risks of coastal erosion and flooding are increasing in the UK. Yet, coastal management approaches are fragmented and differentiated across the UK, with the complexity of varying legislation, institutional responsibilities and resource limitations creating challenges for planning within coastal authorities.
In Northern Ireland the absence of a formalised framework for coastal management leaves councils without a clear policy basis for proactive coastal management and creates uncertainty within planning processes. In England, SMPs offer a framework for adaptation, but their integration within spatial planning is varied. The funding for managing coastal risk is uncertain in both nations. This uncertainty in responsibility, funding and policy makes it difficult for planners to balance development pressures and socio-economic objectives, with longer-term resilience against coastal change and flooding.
There is an urgent need for further research to address this issue, with no academic research examining this issue in Northern Ireland. Existing research focused upon England also raises the need for greater evidence and upskilling of planners to implement Shoreline Management Plan more effectively to enhance resilience of coastal communities.
Our Approach
Initially the research will analyse and compare the institutional arrangements of England and Northern Ireland, including spatial planning and coastal management legislation and policy. This will be followed by participatory sessions in Belfast and London, involving planning and coastal management practitioners and policymakers from each nation. These workshops will use scenario-based exercises and stakeholder and institutional mapping to elicit how planners balance development pressures with long-term resilience. The project will use the evidence collected in these workshops to produce knowledge and recommendations for a range of audiences including practitioners, policymakers and researchers, providing stakeholders across nations with enhanced understanding of how to plan for coastal resilience effectively under uncertainty.
This will be achieved through the following approach:
Policy and Literature Synthesis
A systematic review and comparative analysis of existing legal and policy frameworks alongside existing academic literature will establish the empirical foundations of the research, grounding the research in the most up-to-date policy and practice.
Practitioner/Policymaker Workshops
Participatory sessions in Belfast and London, in which the initial findings of the policy and literature synthesis will be presented, integrating opportunities for validation, enhancement and consensus of final findings.
The workshops will generate primary data and insights of how planners navigate uncertainty in planning in coastal areas at risk, supporting co-production of recommendations, shared research priorities and evidence gaps.
The sessions will seek to strengthen professional networks between, and within English and Northern Irish coastal authorities, supporting scaled up learning and practice and strengthening the Coast-R Network.
Dissemination
Translating findings and recommendations across the devolved nations and the Coast-R network to support practice and influence policy through a range of outputs including a project report and practitioner-facing presentations.
