Investigating the Potential Role of Visualization Techniques in Participatory Coastal Management

The current shift toward “soft” forms of coastal defense as means of adapting to future sea level rise requires careful communication and consultation if they are to gain widespread public acceptance. For this to be achieved then coastal managers must improve the manner in which they communicate with stakeholders and members of the public. One possible solution may be through the application of landscape visualization techniques to illustrate how new policies or management interventions may shape the coast. This article investigates the potential role of such methods in participatory coastal management. Using interviews with coastal managers, the potential application of visualization techniques in coastal management processes are explored in detail. The findings suggest that while a number of possible roles for visualization techniques exist, there is an urgent need for practical testing and evaluation of the technology in participatory decision-making processes.