Economical and environmental aspects of planning of shore protection activities: a case study

Main factors affecting the status of the coastal zone and coastal processes of Kakumäe peninsula, City of Tallinn, are reviewed. Principles of studies that are necessary to adequately determine the litohydrodynamic processes in the coastal and littoral zone are described. Owing to the complexity of the processes in this area it is necessary to combine the results of different studies to determine the cost-effective and environmentally friendly type of coastal protection. A scheme of necessary studies and estimates of their cost and duration is presented. Key words: planning of shore protections activities, planning of coastal protections measures. Factors affecting the coastal zone of the Kakumäe peninsula Kakumäe peninsula is located in the northwestern part of the City of Tallinn (Figure 1). During last years there have been extensive damages of the coastal scarp. At places the scarp is located only by a few meters from public streets (Seaver 2004, 2006) and its further recession is very undesirable. The coastal processes of Kakumäe peninsula (Figure 1) are mostly driven by hydrodynamical factors. The most important components of hydrodynamical activity are surface waves, coastal and wave-induced currents, and sea level. Also, severe ice conditions may also essentially affect local coastal processes during certain winters. Rapid events of coastal evolution occur when specific combinations of the listed factors occur. In particular, extensive coastal destruction may occur during certain storms during which the combination o