Geographical investigations - crowded coasts - competition for coasts

Geographical investigations

Crowded Coasts

Competition for coasts

COAST – That part of the land most affected by its proximity to the sea and that part of the ocean most affected by its proximity to the land.

• Coastal zone is most populated part of the world, containing many of the largest cities and manufacturing centres.
• Coastal lowlands are important food producers.
• Coastal ports play leading role in world trade.
• Coast become popular place for leisure, recreation and tourism.
• The coast is an open system involving inputs, internal transfers and outputs of water, sediment and energy in a state of dynamic equilibrium.
• This equilibrium is easily upset by human activities.

Coastal diversity

·        Diversity of landscapes exists along coast.

Nature of coasts:

LAND

-Shape

-Relief

-Presence or lack of beach

-Structure

-Resistance of rocks

-Sub-aerial processes

-River sediments

-Coastal ecosystems

SEA

-Coastal ecosystems

-Wave energy&direction

-Size%type of waves

-Local currents and longshore drift

-Tidal changes

-Water depth

-Offshore sediments

-Long-term changes in sea-level.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

-Wind strength & direction

-Rainfall & temperature

-Storms & surges

HUMAN ACTIVITIES

-Intervention in natural systems

-Use of land for development

-Exploitation of resources

COASTAL ATTRACTIONS

·        Estimated that over half the worlds population and 2/3 of major cities are found within 60km of the sea.

THE COASTAL MAGNET

• In 1990, 30% of world population lived on the coast (60% in the 60km zone).
• By 2002, it was 40%.
• Coastal populations are growing at a rate 4X global average.
• Some of fastest growing megacities (Lagos, Shanghai) are on coast.
• “People are attracted to gorgeous natural settings until they become so full of people that the attraction is destroyed.”

·        In middle and higher latitudes, the coast has a more equable climate than inland locations = more comfortable living conditions.

·        From earliest times, much human movement between places was by sea rather than over land – no roads and wilderness impeded transport.

·        Coastal lowlands were well suited to farming and inshore waters provided fish.

·        Food security and transport were the original attractions for living in coastal locations.

The Lancashire coastal plain

• Stretches from river Mersey in south to southern edge of Lake district in north.
• Bounded by Pennine hills in Easter and low-lying coastline in west.
• The plain is very flat, much is only a few metres above sea level.
• Continuously inhabited since prehistoric.

• Human resources also play their part in development in coastal areas.
• As well as supply of labour, human resources include vision, skills and enterprise.
• These are critical in the transitions between stages – in case of Lancashire coastline, most recent of its transitions has been demanding.
• New uses must be found for redundant buildings & large areas of Liverpool, preston, southport and Blackpool need to be rebranded.
• Much of modern economy is about providinf services.
• Attraction & value of coast is largely to do with resources and opportunities.

Blackpool, UK

• For over 100 years, Blackpool was one of Europe’s leading coastal resorts, renowned for tower, lights & rock.
• During 18^th century it became fashionable for British rich to travel to seaside in summer, it was believed bathing in sea water could cure diseases.
• Some came to Blackpool but it remained a hamlet until first half of 19^th century.
• The railway in 1846 cut costs and time taken to reach Blackpool.
• Huge numbers of working-class began coming to Blackpool every weekend.
• In 1870s, each of the cotton textile towns of Lancashire began announcing “wakes week” when mills were shut for servicing.
• Thousands from these towns visited Blackpool during holiday period.
• Tower, promenades, piers, amusement arcades, theatres & music halls were built.
• By WWI = 4 million visitors during high season.
• During interwar years, prosperity continued and a new law that gave workers paid holiday.
• The town’s population reached almost 150,000.
• After WWII, fortunes began to decline with the advent of the package holiday and cheap air travel.
• Competition was from resorts in the Mediterranean which was also able to deliver guaranteed sun.
• Blackpool has since developed conference facilities and casinos but the town is still struggling to survive.

Benidorm, Spain

• Permanent population of 67,000.
• During summer peak season, population exceeds half a million.
• Development of Benidorm as coastal resort started in 1954 when the mayor drew up a plan of urban development.
• This took off in 1960s when it became popular with British tourists on package holidays.
• Tourist season is now all year round.
• Night life revolves around bars and clubs and is a strong pull for younger visitors.
• Within a few decades, Benidorm has transformed from a small village to an urban area of skyscraper hotels and apartment blocks, theme parks, pubs, clubs and restaurants.
• All three main beaches have ‘blue flag’ status.
• At height of season, they are some of the most densely populated parts of the world.

• Many traditional seaside resorts in UK seeking to rebrand e.g. Boscombe in Dorset.

Making waves at Boscombe, UK

• Plans to build an artificial surf reef close to Boscombe pier.
• To occupy 1 hectare.
• Made from large geotextile sand bags.
• Land-based tourist attractions around Boscombe need rejuvenation.
• Surf survey showed 77 good surfing days, but takes place on 153 days – 5,000 visits/yr.

-Reef to double good surfing days and host 10,000 visits per year.

• Estimated Cost - £1.1 million but business it brings to cancel that out.
• Actual cost - £4 million.
• Estimated to produce £10 million per year.
• Claim environmental effects =neutral – marine life thrives on beach & no effects to beach.
• Could accelerate erosion further down beach.
• Opened November 2009 – over a year late.
• Only achieved 4 of 11 design objectives.
• Closed since 2011 due to damage from boat propeller.