Managed Retreat as a Climate Adaptation Strategy in Atlantic Canada

Legal, Socio-Economic, and Engineering Perspectives on Coastal Displacement

Abstract

As sea-level rise and storm surges accelerate coastal erosion across the Atlantic provinces, traditional "hard" engineering solutions—such as seawalls and breakwaters—are increasingly insufficient. This article examines the feasibility of "managed retreat" (the strategic relocation of infrastructure and populations) as a long-term resilience strategy. Through a multi-disciplinary lens, the research analyzes the legal complexities of land-use planning, the socio-economic impact on coastal heritage communities, and the engineering requirements for "soft" shoreline stabilization. The study argues that managed retreat is not a failure of adaptation but a necessary transition toward sustainable coastal management. This contribution to CJCRS provides a policy framework for provincial governments navigating the retreat-vs-defend paradox.