Reef Arches, Hybrid Seawalls and the Future of Coastal Resilience | The Blue Economy

About this episode

The episode discusses innovative shoreline protection methods and the future of coastal resilience with experts in marine construction.

Can shoreline protection do more than defend against erosion? In this episode of The Blue Economy, Katherine O’Fallon, Executive Director of the Marine Research Hub of South Florida, is joined by Arthur Tiedeman of APH Marine Construction and Nicholas Bourdon of Reef Arches for a practical conversation about nature-based shoreline infrastructure, hybrid seawalls, artificial reef structures, mangrove planters, and the future of coastal resilience. As waterfront communities face aging seawalls, rising costs, permitting pressure, storm exposure, and the need for stronger environmental outcomes, the conversation around marine construction is changing. The question is no longer only how to protect the shoreline, but how to build infrastructure that also creates habitat, supports marine life, improves water quality, and gives homeowners, municipalities, developers, and contractors better tools. Arthur shares the APH Marine Construction perspective on hybrid seawalls, marine construction, installation logistics, contractor education, and why South Florida is entering a major seawall replacement cycle. Nicholas explains how Reef Arches are being used as modular, nature-based structures…

People in this episode

Host: Katherine O’Fallon

Guests: Arthur Tiedeman, Nicholas Bourdon

Topics covered

• coastal resilience
• marine construction
• nature-based infrastructure
• hybrid seawalls
• environmental outcomes
• shoreline protection

Keywords

• shoreline protection
• hybrid seawalls
• marine life
• water quality
• mangrove planters
• artificial reefs
• ecological seawall tiles

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Marine Research Hub of South Florida, APH Marine Construction, Reef Arches

Places: South Florida, Sunrise Key, Palm Bay, Cape Canaveral

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