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Abstract Marsa Matrouh is a leading Egyptian tourist destination. It has four natural lagoons (from the west: Cleopatra, Matrouh, Romel, and Fairouz). Recently Matrouh Lagoons suffer from erosion, accretion, and water quality degradation, especially in Cleopatra Lagoon. Furthermore, continuous accretion has been detected in El-Gharam navigation channel, which affects the function of Matrouh harbors even with regular dredging. The study aims to develop a scientific basis for the coastal problems of the study area and to provide an integrated solution that achieve the sustainable development. The study is carried out in four phases, the first phase (detailed investigation): represents the detailed investigation of the study area through literature review, detail field data collection (wind, wave, current, and bathymetry), and determine the requirements of the stakeholders through field trips, and meetings. The second phase (data analysis): which in turn is divided into three main sections, a) human activities influencing the natural stability depending on the historical maps and satellite images, b) shoreline evaluation study using DSAS software and depending on historical shorelines extracted from Google Earth high resolution images through a manual digitizing process, c) coastal area pattern depending on collected data and set up a hydrodynamic model using Delft 3D software. The third phase (identify coastal problems): a set of study area coastal problems was presented depending on the extracted information from the previous two stages. To restore the stability condition for the coastal area, the fourth phase (optimum solution selection) has come. The study discussed five scenarios through two criteria, firstly technical view by applying the numerical model for each scenario separately to get the impact of the proposal in improving the current situation, and secondly economic view by cost benefit analysis for each scenario. Finally, a decision support matrix was presented to be used by decision maker to choose the most effective solution that ensures the achievement of integrated and sustainable development of Marsa Matrouh coastal area. The collected data identified the effect of human interventions in the coastal area. Therefore, human activities influencing coastal area are discussed like replace nature inlets of Cleopatra Lagoon by an artificial one, development of the flood wadies and urbanization within the coastal dunes. The study shows that destroy 60% of the coastal dunes system and the water harvesting techniques by storage water and sediment accompany the flash flood preventing them from reaching the coastal area are the main reasons for the erosion. In order to restore the stability condition for the coastal area, it is recommended to dredge a new navigation channel connecting Cleopatra Lagoon with the open sea, then fill the existing navigation channel. In addition, beach nourishment with small groins is required to stabilize beaches within Matrouh Lagoon. |