Coastal Risk Assessment and Management Programme
Coastal Risk Assessment and Management Programme (2011 - 2020)
Magazine describing the CRMPSummary
The coastal zone of Barbados is the country’s main economic asset, acting as an attraction for both tourists and locals alike. The coastal zone also houses much of the islands infrastructure and is an access point for traditional uses such as fishing and maritime transport.
Due to its location, Barbados is moderately exposed to hurricanes and tropical storms which result in storm surges and high winds which have significant negative impacts on the coastal zone. Barbados is also susceptible to beach erosion and cliff instability at various locations around the island and is also prone to inland flooding in low lying areas. These issues, as well as the potential for additional impacts due to climate change factors mean that Barbados must enhance its resilence to marine, coastal and terrestrial hazards in order to attain its current and future sustainable development goals.
The Government of Barbados, through the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), is currently executing the Coastal Risk Assessment and Management Program (CRMP). The program, which is partly financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, is aimed at increasing the resilience of Barbados to coastal hazards through the improved conservation and management of the coastal zone. The main objective of the CRMP is to enhance the capacity of the CZMU in integrated coastal zone management in Barbados while incorporating sound disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation principles within the development planning process. The three main components of the CRMP are described below.
Component 1: Coastal Risk Assessment, Monitoring and Management
This component provides the CZMU updated qualitative and quantitative data on risk in the coastal zone and state of the art tools for routine quantitative assessment, monitoring and management of coastal risk. Activities within this component include:
Baseline Studies on Coastal and Oceanographic Proccesses
- Nearshore Wave Study
- Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) topographic and bathymetric Surveys
- Shoreline Change Study
- Circulation, Water Quality and Sedimentation Study
- Geotechnical Surveys and Investigations
- Sediment Transport Study
Comprehensive Risk Evaluation
- Multi-Hazard evaluation (wind, earthquakes, storm surge, coastal erosion, inland flooding, tsunamis, cliff instability, oil spills)
- Vulnerability assessment
- Risk assessment
- Hazard, vulnerability and risk maps
- Indicators of Disaster Risk and Risk Management Report
National Coastal Risk Information and Planning Platform Development
- Hazard, vulnerability and risk databases
- Risk evaluation and communication tools and applications for risk-based decision making by CZMU and strategic partners
Component 2: Coastal Infrastructure
The objective of this component is to control shoreline erosion, enhance climate-related hazard resilience of coastal infrastructure and improve public access to beaches. This component will significantly increase the recreational opportunities offered to tourists and residents. Activities within this component include:
Holetown Waterfront Improvement Project (HWIP) from Holetown to Heron Bay
- Construction of coastal defences, shoreline enhancement structures (walkways, headlands), breakwaters
- Holetown Lagoon water quality improvement
- Flood risk reduction
Rockley Beach to St. Lawrence Gap Waterfront Improvement Project
- Design and feasibility studies for coastal defence and shoreline enhancement structures
Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Pilot Project
- Reef regeneration/construction as a non-engineering solution to shoreline erosion
The sand used in the HWIP is surplus from the previous Coastal Infrastructure Programme (CIP). The armour stone (granite) for the structures was procured from New Brunswick, Canada. The Granite is denser than limestone, making it more durable.
Component 3: Institutional Sustainability for Integrated Coastal Zone Management
The objective of this component is to strengthen the policy, regulatory environment and institutional capacity within Government to enable the CZMU to fulfill its expanded mandate for integrated coastal risk management. Activities within this component include:
- DRM and CCA Sensitization and Training Plan for the CZMU and Strategic Partners
- Training of Staff of CZMU in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)
- Updating of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan incorporating DRM and CCA
- Amendment to the Coastal Zone Management Act and Preparation of Coastal Zone Management Regulations
- Preparation of a Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for DRM and CCA in the Coastal Zone
- Policy for Information Sharing among the Departments of the Ministry of Environment and Drainage, and with Key Strategic Partners
- Updated Proposal for Cost Recovery Mechanisms for Coastal Infrastructure
- Design and Implementation of a Communications Strategy and Action Plan on DRM, CCA and CZM for CZMU and Strategic Partners
- Update of the CZMU Operations Manual
