What form of coastal engineering is aimed at protecting a city from high waves?

A sea wall is a form of coastal engineering designed specifically to protect coastal areas from the damaging impact of high waves. It is a solid structure placed parallel to the shoreline, primarily made of concrete or stone, and serves to absorb and deflect wave energy. By doing so, sea walls help to prevent erosion, flooding, and structural damage to properties located near the coast. They effectively act as a barrier between the shoreline and the ocean, minimizing the threat posed by storm surges and high waves during adverse weather conditions.

In contrast, other coastal engineering solutions have different purposes. Jetties are built to protect harbor entrances and maintain navigable waterways, whereas breakwaters are constructed offshore to reduce wave energy and create calmer waters in harbors. Dune restoration involves enhancing natural sand dunes to provide a buffer against storm surges and erosion, but it does not offer the same level of direct wave protection as a sea wall does. Thus, while all these options contribute to coastal management, the primary function of a sea wall is specifically to guard against high waves.