Physics and coastal planning strategies: two sides of the same coin

Environmental, social, and economic sustainability are the main aspects to deal with when coastal planning strategies have to be defined. Nevertheless, the restoration and defense of coastal stretches is not a simple task to be addressed when different aims must be reached. Usually, Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) are considered when interventions are inspired by natural processes. Herein we discuss how planning and management strategies of the coastal zone can rely on the knowledge of natural processes: a paradigm shift from Nature-Based Solutions to Nature-based Strategies for coastal planning. Morphodynamics processes in the short and long term, sediment budget, short-term hydrodynamics, and flushing efficiency of enclosed water bodies are only a few examples of physical processes that can inform planning and management strategies: littoral cells can become real administrative units that overcome the boundaries of coastal municipalities, short terms morphodynamics can guide coastal communities in optimizing the management of coastal stretches during the winter season, short term hydrodynamics can be used to optimize the stormwater outlets. This paper aims to discuss how technical standards provided by Public Authorities can be informed by the knowledge of physical processes by highlighting the twin of physics and planning strategies, two sides of the same coin. The coastal plan of the Abruzzo Region is then taken as a meaningful case study.