The Impacts of Artificial Coastal Defense on Local Communities: A Case Study of Kuala Nerus, Terengganu

Abstract

Kuala Nerus' shoreline is protected from coastal erosion using artificial coastal defense. Breakwaters, groynes, and revetments are some artificial coastal defenses constructed. However, since 2016, coastal erosion has continued to worsen. This study analyzes the correlation between local communities' perspectives on the sufficiency of artificial coastal defense built and the impacts on economic, social, and environmental aspects. It determines the proposed mitigation measures for coastal protection from the perspectives of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, the Public Works Department, and the East Coast Region Development Council (ECRDC), Terengganu. Two questionnaire surveys were employed: an online survey conducted with 150 residents along a 3 km coastal strip and a face-to-face interview with nine individuals from the agencies. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS, Spearman Correlation Analysis, and Descriptive Analysis. The data acquired demonstrated no significant correlation between the perceptions of local communities. The coefficient value obtained was between 0.0 and +-0.2, which is considered a low correlation. Mangrove replanting was the solution that most respondents from the agencies agreed upon.