Topic outline

  • Coastal Construction: Proper Site Selection

    Credits: 3 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Siting residential buildings to minimize their vulnerability to coastal hazards should be one of the most important aspects of the development (or redevelopment) process. Informed decisions regarding siting, design, and construction begin with a complete and detailed understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of potential sites for coastal construction.

    Gaining this knowledge prior to the purchase of coastal property and the initiation of design is important to ensure that coastal residential buildings are properly sited to minimize risk. Experience has shown that not all coastal lands are suitable for development, or at least not the type and intensity of development that has occurred on some coastal lands in the past.Prudent siting has often been overlooked or ignored in the past; properties have been developed and buildings have been constructed close to the shoreline, near bluff edges, and atop steep coastal ridges.

    Topics:

    • Identifying Suitable Property for Coastal Residential Structures
    • Compiling Information on Coastal Property
    • Evaluating Hazards and Potential Vulnerability
    • Define Coastal Hazards Affecting the Property
    • Evaluate Hazard Effects on the Property
    • General Siting Considerations
    • Raw Land Development Guidelines
    • Road Placement near Shoreline
    • Lot Configurations along Shoreline
    • Lot Configurations near Tidal Inlets, Bay Entrances, and River Mouths
    • Development Guidelines for Existing Lots
    • Building on Lots Close to Shoreline
    • Siting near Erosion Control Structures
    • Siting Adjacent to Large Trees
    • Siting of Pedestrian Access
    • Influence of Beach Nourishment and Dune Restoration on Siting Decisions

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Construction, Civil, Coastal, Facilities, Land Planners, and other engineers whose job description may require a general knowledge of the evaluation of coastal property for development purposes.
    Publication Source: US Federal Emergency Management Authority

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1