Vision statement:
The ethos of FHRC places emphasis on theoretically-grounded policy-making. Translating process-based knowledge of the coastal environment into the policy and practice of coastal management is therefore our central vision. We promote a holistic approach to coastal management, considering the socio-economic and physical context of coastal resource use. Impact and adaptation to climatic and societal forcing is a key element of our research.

Experience:
The ‘Yellow Manual’, published in 1992, reflected the first major contribution to coastal resource management. The manual contains a suite of data and techniques relating to gauging the impacts of erosion on property loss at the coast. However, recognising the need for integrated assessments, the research emphasis on coastal management broadened to consider both socio-economic and physical dimensions of coastal change.

An important theme has been the assessment of national to global-scaled coastal vulnerability to long-term climatic change (SURVAS Project, DINAS-COAST Project). This research has included the development of integrated models to assess total erosion, wetland loss and coastal flooding given accelerated sea-level rise. The impact of a catastrophic increase in sea-level rise is a further area of study (ATLANTIS Project).

We are committed to promoting integrated management policies for the coastal environment and are currently involved in the development of an integrated Flood Risk Management Strategy for the Thames Estuary (Thames Estuary 2100 Project).

The application of the concepts of Vulnerability, Resilience, Adaptation and Risk are important theoretical themes within our research on managing the coastal system.