Crowded Coasts

Crowded Coasts

1. What is the coastal zone?

   • The interface between land and sea.
     • The onshore zone reaches 69km inland and over 200 miles offshore to the economic excursion zone.
       • Coastalisation- the movement of people and industry to the coast
   • One of the world's most densely populated areas
   • Area of considerable environmental value which can be vulnerable to human activity and natural processes.
     • Black pool high population and Great Barrier Reef is at risk from human activity.

2. Many tourists visit Blackpool each year as it has many attractions including Pleasure Beach, 3 piers and an illuminated promenade and tower.

   • Black Pool tower which was modelled on the Eiffel tower opened in 1894.
   • Victorians believed that bathing in sea water could cure diseases
   • Railway opened in 1846 meaning it was easier for people to travel to the seaside town from afar.
   • By the 1st World War over 4 million people had made the trip to the seaside each summer
   • However, cheap air travel in the 1970s meant that more people chose to go abroad on holiday as there was easier access to warmer climates especially the Med.
     • Package holidays were introduced in the 1960s
   • M5 motorway opened in 1975 meaning greater access however overnight accommodation was no longer essential.
   • 1979 Blackpool becomes first settlement in Europe to have electric street lighting
   • During the inter-war years people were provided with holiday pay

3. Boscombe-Bournemouth

   • £8 million regeneration project started by government
     • Europe#s first artificial surf reef
       • 42 beach huts or surf pods available for lease
         • Regeneration of Chine gardens
         • People attracted to coast and therefore Barrat homes plan to build 169 new apartment buildings.
       • Created new habitats for fish attracting fishing men.
   • High population density of 3545 per km2
   • Many retirees decided to move here (inwards migration) from other parts of South East England who want to downsize.
     • It avoids having an ageing population due to its university opportunities

4. Costa del sol is experiencing population increase due to international migration. Especially those who from the UK who have retired and are looking for a more leisurely way of life with a warmer less changeable climate compared to the UK

   • As is Australia due to rural-urban migration.

5. Conflict at the coast

   • Conflict between residents and tourists may arise in Lulworth Cove as tourists can cause noise pollution, visual pollution and cause traffic congestion which can be inconvenient and unsightly for residents.
     • Sand dunes may be destroyed by tourists by walking over them and destroying the plants that grow there, contributing to coastal erosion.
   • Inconvenient/unsightly tourist shops which residents say don't fit in with the traditional image of the community
     • House rices may rise as many people buy a second home as a holiday home or let however many remain empty for much of the year
       • Inconvenient parking
   • MOD (military) can often be in conflict with tourists as military firing ranges mean that often tourists are restricted regarding areas where they can go.
     • Noise
     • However they can permit access to the ranges during weekends and during busy holiday seasons
     • Increased caravan parks taking up valuable land for agriculture/spoiling natural beauty
   • Attractive coastline as it is a world heritage site (Durassic )

6. Aqua culture - fish farms as a result of high demand for affordable fish leading to conflict between the producers and environmentalists due to the possible negative effects aquaculture can have on the surrounding ecosystem.

   • Overfishing- brings money and jobs into the area eg. grimsby but can lead to rapid decline of fish populations. Treaties have been agreed by many countries to try to stop fishing stocks from collapsing eg EU Common Fisheries Policy. However these treaties can lead to job losses and the decline of fishing communities.
     • Industrialisation - As ports have expanded because of industrial growth, coastal eco-systems have come under threat. There's pressure to develop salt marshes at the coast as they provide flat land and sheltered water which is ideal for ports and industry. However these are opposed by some trying to protect sites of scientific interest.