Shore protection in Italy: From hard to soft engineering … and back

摘要: Abstract Beach erosion started to severely affect the Italian coast in mid XIX century, mostly at river mouths where settlements were almost absent. When problem reached developed areas a National law was enacted (1907) favoring defense of coastal settlements, which addressed through seawalls and revetments. In this way many towns lost their beaches, today could have tourist social function. following years, when beach became an economic resource, groins detached breakwaters implemented, frequently triggering down drift erosion, therefore justifying more rock structures. some localities than 200 or (or both) are present few kilometers coast. Coastal resilience, previously reduced by longshore urbanization, definitely zeroed. nourishment be carried out consistently ‘70s with quarried materials sediment dredged harbors (for total approximately 10 M m 3 ). ‘90s marine aggregates commenced used protected unprotected projects. Approximately 21 M m been emplaced since then. Difficulties finding material due restrictions opening new quarries for environmental reasons, as well suitable continental shelf sediments, together crisis, caused reduction schemes recent years. Unsatisfactory results projects, sand quickly project did not stakeholders' acceptance, additional reasons Designers now much confident hard defenses, possibly submerged groins, although projects retrace path '60s, proving that all has learned from past mistakes. This paper serve warning countries currently entering process development.