managed realignment

• why 


  because costal defences are becoming more needed and expensive

  planners are starting to look at how the natural environment could help protect the coastal area
• managed realignment /retreat


  breaching existing sea walls and allowing coastal defences to flood up to a new line of defence

  in the new zone between low and high tide, salt marshes can form

  the salt marshes will provide a natural defence against flooding by allowing flood water to spread out and avoid inhabited areas

  can create nature reserves and tourist centres
• advantages


  social - takes pressure off areas further along the coast and reduces the risk of flooding

  economic - often cheaper in the long run than maintaining hard engineering defences

  environmental - new intertidal habitats - provide new habitats for new species
• disadvantages 


  social - relocating disrupts people and can be stressful - people feel let down

  economic - shot term costs can be expensive people who relocate need to be paid

  environmental - large areas of agriculture land is lost, construction work disrupts animals