Coastal cities have always been a point of attraction for residents, tourists, and businesses. Alongside the aesthetic features, their proximity to the sea has made these cities a focal point for maritime transportation with the construction of ports, as well as hotspots for recreational and aquacultural activities. However, the past decades saw these particular regions threatened with a shortened lifespan; rising water levels, floods, and recurring cyclones, along with other natural disasters, have endangered coastal communities, putting their population, ecosystem, and built environment at risk.
Earlier this month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nation's body for assessing the science related to climate change, addressed the current and anticipated impacts of climate change on ecosystems and human communities across the globe, explaining that if governing bodies did not make prompt changes, the world would reach an "irreversible" state. Evidently, towns and settlements built in geographically-challenged zones were proven to be the most vulnerable to the repercussions of climate change, particularly those built by the sea, ocean, or rivers. Although they face the highest risks, coastal cities are home to 11% of the world’s population, serving as a focal point to most of the world’s economic activities, critical infrastructure, and attractive hotspots for tourists as well. 896 million people live in low-lying coastal cities that are in direct exposure to coastal hazards, meaning that these individuals, along with their houses, businesses, and communities, will eventually cease to exist following the accelerating impacts of climate change.
