Background Information

Coastal communities are facing significant challenges including vulnerabilities in existing infrastructure, economic prosperity and increasing land-based sources of pollution to coastal waters leading to public health threats; all of these challenges are exacerbated by climate change. Existing coastal structures may have significant negative effects on coastal ecosystems, so a need exists to innovate sustainable and bio-friendly coastal structures that improve resilience and have a positive impact on property values and ecological sustainability.

Next Generation Coastal Structures is an interdisciplinary research team created to solve this multi-facted problem. The team is currently funded by a ULINK grant from the University of Miami. An important goal of the research is to gather information and support from environmental groups, government, property owners, and other stakeholders.

Articles and comments posted here are designed to facilitate information sharing between the Next Generation team and these stakeholders.