International Coastal Management was delighted to participate in the International Coastal Symposium 2024 (ICS2024), held in Doha, Qatar, from September 24–27. ICS2024 brought together experts from across the world to discuss the latest innovations in coastal management under the theme “Coastlines under Global Change.” With two key presentations, ICM’s Senior Coastal Engineer, Sam King, showcased our groundbreaking work on Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Management in the Arabian Gulf and the Design and Construction of Floating Islands in Qatar.
Presentation 1: Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Management in the Arabian Gulf
The Arabian Gulf faces unique coastal challenges due to urbanisation, environmental degradation, and the impacts of climate change. Sam King’s presentation highlighted the role of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), such as mangrove forests, shellfish reefs, and saltmarshes, as sustainable alternatives to traditional hard-engineering coastal protections.
Key insights from the presentation:
NBS approaches not only offer coastal protection but also enhance biodiversity, water quality, and carbon sequestration.
The region hosts a range of resilient coastal ecologies with the potential to serve as effective NBS, creating a “living shoreline” for coastal protection.
Implementing these solutions in the Gulf requires tailored designs that account for local conditions, climate impacts, and community engagement.
Sam emphasised the importance of integrating local traditional knowledge into coastal management plans to ensure long-term success.
This session sparked great discussions about the role of NBS in enhancing coastal resilience. It is clear that maximising the benefits of NBS in the region requires a collaborative approach, combining effective stakeholder consultation, engagement with a multidisciplinary team experienced in NBS, and the development of a robust monitoring and adaptive management program. This holistic strategy ensures that NBS projects not only protect coastlines but also deliver long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Presentation 2: Design and Construction of Floating Islands in Qatar
As urbanisation and climate change drive demand for waterfront access and land reclamation, floating islands offer a practical solution to expand available coastal space. Sam’s second presentation focused on ICM’s work on floating islands in Qatar, a project that addresses sea-level rise, urban expansion, and the need for innovative coastal development.
Key insights from the presentation:
Floating and overwater structures can offer flexibility and reduce environmental impacts compared to traditional land reclamation.
Careful design and construction methods are essential to ensure buoyancy, stability, and the ability to withstand dynamic environmental conditions, such as high tides and storm events.
ICM’s floating islands project in Qatar is a pioneering example of integrating environmental sustainability with innovative urban development.
This presentation demonstrated the potential for floating islands to transform urban waterfronts, offering an innovative solution to mitigate sea level rise impacts and provide opportunities to enhance environmental outcomes.
Key Takeaways from ICS2024
Our presentation on nature-based solutions aligned with ongoing discussions about the critical role of NBS in preserving, restoring and enhancing coastal resilience and biodiversity, as showcased in various sessions, including the panel on Coastal Resilience under Global Change.
Climate change was a central focus of the symposium, highlighted in sessions such as Attribution of Alterations in Coastal Processes to Manifestations of Climate Change.
Our presentation on floating islands resonated with the conference's broader theme of sustainable infrastructure. These innovative structures offer a viable alternative to traditional land reclamation, addressing the challenges of urbanisation and limited coastal land availability.
The Science-to-Policy Dialogue focused on protecting Qatar’s natural environment and advancing sustainable development. Discussions emphasised the role of effective laws, legislation, and integrated laboratory systems, particularly those managed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), in safeguarding the country’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
Looking Ahead
ICS2024 provided an excellent platform for ICM to strengthen partnerships and discuss future collaboration opportunities. We look forward to continuing our work in Qatar and the wider Arabian Gulf, further developing coastal resilience solutions tailored to the region's unique challenges.
If you missed the presentations, we invite you to connect with us to explore how these innovative solutions could benefit your next coastal project. Reach out to our team for a consultation or to receive more detailed insights from our work at ICS2024.