Climate Adaptation in Coastal Ecosystems

Coastal cities and regions in the global south are some of the most vulnerable regions susceptible to climate change impacts. They experience escalating risks from sea-level rise, extreme weather patterns, ecosystem loss and degradation, along with sporadic urbanization. These regions range from small cities to metropolitan areas and peri-urban settlements. The climate impacts are critical to livelihood aspects, the stability of the ecosystem and the economy of the locality. However, they are often ignored in the mainstream urban environmental planning domain.

Climate Adaptation in Coastal Ecosystems: Interdisciplinary Conceptualizations and Approaches from the Global South offers a group of scientific interdisciplinary chapters compiled together. The volume brings together perspectives from urban and regional planning, architecture, environmental studies, disaster management, public policy, and social sciences to explore how climate risks are reshaping coastal urban systems, governance structures, and development trajectories affecting the communities at large. The book is divided into four thematic sections: namely, marginalized communities, heritage and tourism, governance strategies, and governance policies. The compilation presents empirically grounded case studies mostly from the global south. It analyzes several themes ranging from gendered vulnerability, livelihood management, ecosystem-based planning, climate risks, economic development and institutional and governance reforms, in response to the changing climate.

The book will be of interest to scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners engaged in urban studies, regional planning, and climate adaptation in coastal contexts.