title: Building 'blue': An eco-engineering framework for foreshore developments.
abstract: Urbanisation in terrestrial systems has driven architects, planners, ecologists and engineers to collaborate on the design and creation of more sustainable structures. Examples include the development of 'green infrastructure' and the introduction of wildlife corridors that mitigate urban stressors and provide positive ecological outcomes. In contrast, efforts to minimise the impacts of urban developments in marine environments have been far more restricted in their extent and scope, and have often overlooked the ecological role of the built environment as potential habitat. Urban foreshore developments, i.e. those built on the interface of intertidal and/or subtidal zones, have the potential to incorporate clear multi-functional outcomes, by supporting novel ecosystems. We present a step-by-step eco-engineering framework for 'building blue' that will allow coastal managers to facilitate planning and construction of sustainable foreshore developments. Adopting such an approach will incorporate ecological principles, thereby mitigating some of the environmental impacts, creating more resilient urban infrastructure and environments, and maximising benefits to the multiple stakeholders and users of marine urban waterfronts.
authors.affiliation: Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia. Electronic address: m.mayerpinto@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayer-Pinto
authors.affiliation: Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Bugnot
authors.affiliation: NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Taylors Beach, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Glasby
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali, Università di Bologna, UO CoNISMa, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Airoldi
authors.affiliation: Lendlease, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Dafforn
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods; D017753:Ecosystem; D004738:Engineering; D004777:Environment; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D014507:Urbanization
keywords: Artificial structures; Coastal systems; Green engineering; Urbanisation