👉 Coastal engineering encompasses the design, construction, and maintenance of structures and systems aimed at protecting coastlines from erosion, flooding, and other natural hazards. This field integrates civil engineering, environmental science, and geology to create solutions that balance human needs with ecological preservation. Techniques include building seawalls, breakwaters, and groynes to reduce wave energy and prevent shoreline retreat; constructing beach nourishment projects to replenish eroded sand; and implementing living shorelines using natural materials like plants, oyster reefs, and sand dunes to stabilize coastlines while enhancing biodiversity. Coastal engineering also involves managing sediment transport, mitigating storm impacts through early warning systems, and adapting to rising sea levels by designing resilient infrastructure. The goal is to safeguard coastal communities, ecosystems, and economic activities—such as tourism and fisheries—while minimizing environmental disruption.
