Hsu, J.R.C. and Pranzini, E., 2023. A geomorphic study on the evolvement of shore protection strategies in Italy: Application of MeePaSoL software. In: Lee, J.L.; Lee, H.; Min, B.I.; Chang, J.-I.; Cho, G.T.; Yoon, J.-S., and Lee, J. (eds.), Multidisciplinary Approaches to Coastal and Marine Management. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 116, pp. 608-612. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.
Beach erosion has occurred in Italy, especially after early coastal settlements and national railway built along the narrow coasts in the late19th century. Like many places in the world, eroding beaches in Italy have been protected by hard structures (revetments, seawalls, groins and detached breakwaters), using rocks, and in years after with soft options (beach nourishment, submerged groin extension and detached breakwaters) to guarantee a good tourist offer. Rocks, as the core material for all protective structures, are abundant on Italian peninsula and within a short haulage to the coast, and sediments from quarried and fluvial sources are initially available affordably. However in recent years, coastal designers in some regions are having much more confident with hard structures than beach nourishment, due to shortage of suitable sand sources and the increase in cost. In this paper, the evolvement of the shore protection strategies in Italy is described, unique schemes for protecting excessive long stretch of coasts are highlighted, and case studies including protection of Venice Lagoon are reported. Finally, MeePaSoL software, as a tool for geomorphic study, is applied to assess long-term shoreline stability for embayed beaches downdrift of harbors and between hard structures.