For any coastal or beachfront development, a site screening study is essential at the early stage of the business case planning prior to a “go ahead” decision. Compared to feasibility study which requires comprehensive data collection and longer time to execute, a screening study can be carried out in shorter timeframe relying on coastal experts’ advices and high-level data analysis. Following screening study, feasibility study can then be better carried out should the project go ahead.
Despite its values, coastal screening study is often overlooked by project proponent in the early stage. As a result, decisions and directions were often established without a clear understanding on the site suitability, risks, and constraints which will down the road affect the project viabilities, planning, and executions. Screening study can be carried out in a few weeks to provide important insights on shoreline stability, presence of any sensitive receptors, potential impacts and its mitigation solutions, regulatory requirements, and design conceptual layout optimizations. These insights will greatly improve the development’s decision making, planning, and sustainability.
Screening helps in identifying “show stopper” which could derail the entire project. The minimal efforts spent on screening will go a long way in driving business and investment successes, on top of reducing and mitigating environmental impact thereby enhancing regulatory approval and compliance. By understanding the potential impacts from the project, mitigation design and solutions can be included at earliest possible. Such solutions also optimize the project costs. It is often more cost and time effective to plan and design an environmentally friendly scheme rather than fixing or remediating the structures upon construction. Outcomes from screening study would also aid future studies such as feasibility and detailed design thereby smoothing the overall project execution.
Screening study can be jointly carried out with other experts such as architects, civil engineers, town planners, and environmental experts – depending on the site characteristics and project requirements.
The founder of CoastAdv has extensive experiences and knowledge of the shorelines in Sabah, Sarawak and across Malaysia. Such track record and accumulated data enable us to carry out screening study in a swift and effective manner. A proper screening and strategic review at the early stage of any coastal development is vital in assisting project owner and client to achieve sound financial and sustainability successes.