The notion infrastructure has various connotations. It refers to physical elements such as roads, bridges, sea walls, groynes or breakwaters, but also to the institutional infrastructure ("arrangements"). 

Physical infrastructure

Due to their impact on the natural system and their cost, coastal structures are normally an important element in coastal zone management studies. Depending on their effect on the coastal system, the following three categories of coastal structures may be identified:

• Sacrificial structures, often consisting of natural materials such as sand and gravel. They are used as a buffer to protect coastal areas from erosion. Examples of such structures are artificial dunes, artificial shoals and sand nourishment or beach nourishment. These structures least interfere with the natural processes or may even take part in it.
• Defensive structures, which are made of more resistant materials such as clay and rock or artificial elements like concrete. They are used to consolidate the present position of the coastline and to protect it in the event of extreme waves and tides. Examples are dikes and dune revetments. These structures normally do not interfere with natural processes, until an extreme condition occurs. In that case, its protective function is activated and it starts to affect the coastal processes.
• Offensive structures are designed to actively affect the coastal processes, in order to improve conditions for any or all of the coastal activities. They are, therefor, constructed of artificial materials which can withstand the forces of nature. Examples are break-waters and groynes. Obviously, this type of structure has a large impact on the coastal system.

Institutional Infrastructure

For an effective coastal zone management environment, a control system is required which formulates the objectives of coastal zone management, monitors the developments and which takes appropriate long term and short term actions when needed. Basically, following four elements can be identified in this respect:

• the political system, which defines the long term objectives of coastal zone management and the criteria which should be applied for the analysis of various scenarios;
• the legislative system, the total of the governing international conventions, national laws and regional/local regulations to enforce this policy;
• the financial system, which provides the necessary funding;
• the executive system, which defines the scope of responsibilities for all activities related to coastal zone management.

Due to different historic developments, different social and administrative cultures and different financial conditions, each country has developed a different control system. As the efficiency of the control system is of vital importance for the success of coastal zone management, its particular characteristics and responsibilities should be acknowledged by the coastal manager.

Some Financial insitutes...