Cities around the coast are more susceptible to the effects of climate change, including higher flooding, stronger storms, and rising sea levels. Because of their vital infrastructure and dense populations, many urban areas are vulnerable to major social and economic upheavals. Strategies to improve infrastructure resilience in the face of these escalating difficulties are therefore desperately needed. To increase the resilience of the infrastructure in coastal cities, this review study investigates several climate change adaptation options. Three main strategies are highlighted: technological advancements, adaptive coastal management, and green infrastructure. To manage storm water, lower urban heat, and improve ecological resilience, green infrastructure incorporates natural systems into urban planning and development. In addition to offering several social and environmental advantages, strategies like urban wetlands, permeable pavement, and green roofs have been shown to be successful in reducing flooding. The significance of flexible and participatory planning techniques is emphasized by adaptive coastal management, which enables communities to modify their plans in response to evolving circumstances. These covers restoring natural barriers like salt marshes and mangroves as well as involving stakeholders. To improve resilience, technological advancements, such as real-time monitoring systems and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are essential. Better data gathering and predictive modeling are made possible by these technologies, enabling proactive responses to climate concerns and well-informed decision-making. Successful case studies from a range of international situations show how powerful these tactics are. For example, Copenhagen’s Climate Adaptation Plan exemplifies a holistic approach to managing urban resilience, whereas New York’s “Living Breakwaters” project blends ecological restoration with infrastructure development. This study summarizes recent research results and offers a thorough framework for stakeholders, politicians, and urban planners working on resilient infrastructure development. The research highlights that improving the resilience of coastal towns requires a multipronged strategy that incorporates sustainable practices, creative design, and community engagement. Ultimately, this research highlights the need for immediate and sustained action to address the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring that coastal urban areas can adapt effectively and thrive in the face of uncertainty.

Climate change, coastal cities, resilient infrastructure, adaptation strategies, green infrastructure

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1. Nicholls RJ, Cazenave A. Sea-level rise. Nature. 2010;468(7323):268–272.
2. Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press; 2021.
3. Miami-Dade County. Sea Level Rise Strategy. 2017.
4. Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts. 2018.
5. Benedict MA, McMahon ET. Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities. Washington, D.C.: Island Press; 2006.
6. O’Donnell E, et al. Urban green infrastructure: a tool for adapting to climate change. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2015;14(3):530–540.
7. NYC Department of Environmental Protection. NYC Green Infrastructure Plan. 2010.
8. Philadelphia Water Department. Green City, Clean Waters: The City of Philadelphia’s Program for Combined Sewer Overflow Control. 2011.
9. Adaptive Coastal Management: Lessons from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2018.
10. Juncosa L. Adaptive Management and Coastal Resilience: Integrating Human Dimensions into Coastal and Marine Resource Management. 2016.
11. Barbier EB. Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management in the Face of Climate Change. Journal of Environmental Management. 2016;166:140–150.
12. Boesch DF, et al. Coastal Marshes: The Role of Ecosystems in Managing Flood Risks. Nature. 2013;493(7432):8–9.
13. Mississippi River Delta Restoration. About the Delta Restoration Project. 2019.
14. Kearney M, et al. Smart Infrastructure for Climate Change Resilience. Urban Planning. 2020;5(3):54–68.
15. European Environment Agency. Climate Change, Impacts and Vulnerability in Europe 2016. 2016.
16. Rotterdam Climate Initiative. Smart Climate Adaptation. 2018.
17. Cangialosi JP, et al. The Living Breakwaters Project: A Case Study. Coastal Management. 2021;49(5):425–440.
18. Copenhagen Municipality. Climate Adaptation Plan. 2011.
19. Moser SC, et al. Communicating Climate Change: The Importance of Language. Environmental Science.

Cities around the coast are more susceptible to the effects of climate change, including higher flooding, stronger storms, and rising sea levels. Because of their vital infrastructure and dense populations, many urban areas are vulnerable to major social and economic upheavals. Strategies to improve infrastructure resilience in the face of these escalating difficulties are therefore desperately needed. To increase the resilience of the infrastructure in coastal cities, this review study investigates several climate change adaptation options. Three main strategies are highlighted: technological advancements, adaptive coastal management, and green infrastructure. To manage storm water, lower urban heat, and improve ecological resilience, green infrastructure incorporates natural systems into urban planning and development. In addition to offering several social and environmental advantages, strategies like urban wetlands, permeable pavement, and green roofs have been shown to be successful in reducing flooding. The significance of flexible and participatory planning techniques is emphasized by adaptive coastal management, which enables communities to modify their plans in response to evolving circumstances. These covers restoring natural barriers like salt marshes and mangroves as well as involving stakeholders. To improve resilience, technological advancements, such as real-time monitoring systems and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are essential. Better data gathering and predictive modeling are made possible by these technologies, enabling proactive responses to climate concerns and well-informed decision-making. Successful case studies from a range of international situations show how powerful these tactics are. For example, Copenhagen’s Climate Adaptation Plan exemplifies a holistic approach to managing urban resilience, whereas New York’s “Living Breakwaters” project blends ecological restoration with infrastructure development. This study summarizes recent research results and offers a thorough framework for stakeholders, politicians, and urban planners working on resilient infrastructure development. The research highlights that improving the resilience of coastal towns requires a multipronged strategy that incorporates sustainable practices, creative design, and community engagement. Ultimately, this research highlights the need for immediate and sustained action to address the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring that coastal urban areas can adapt effectively and thrive in the face of uncertainty.

Climate change, coastal cities, resilient infrastructure, adaptation strategies, green infrastructure

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Nicholls RJ, Cazenave A. Sea-level rise. Nature. 2010;468(7323):268–272.
2. Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press; 2021.
3. Miami-Dade County. Sea Level Rise Strategy. 2017.
4. Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts. 2018.
5. Benedict MA, McMahon ET. Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities. Washington, D.C.: Island Press; 2006.
6. O’Donnell E, et al. Urban green infrastructure: a tool for adapting to climate change. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2015;14(3):530–540.
7. NYC Department of Environmental Protection. NYC Green Infrastructure Plan. 2010.
8. Philadelphia Water Department. Green City, Clean Waters: The City of Philadelphia’s Program for Combined Sewer Overflow Control. 2011.
9. Adaptive Coastal Management: Lessons from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2018.
10. Juncosa L. Adaptive Management and Coastal Resilience: Integrating Human Dimensions into Coastal and Marine Resource Management. 2016.
11. Barbier EB. Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management in the Face of Climate Change. Journal of Environmental Management. 2016;166:140–150.
12. Boesch DF, et al. Coastal Marshes: The Role of Ecosystems in Managing Flood Risks. Nature. 2013;493(7432):8–9.
13. Mississippi River Delta Restoration. About the Delta Restoration Project. 2019.
14. Kearney M, et al. Smart Infrastructure for Climate Change Resilience. Urban Planning. 2020;5(3):54–68.
15. European Environment Agency. Climate Change, Impacts and Vulnerability in Europe 2016. 2016.
16. Rotterdam Climate Initiative. Smart Climate Adaptation. 2018.
17. Cangialosi JP, et al. The Living Breakwaters Project: A Case Study. Coastal Management. 2021;49(5):425–440.
18. Copenhagen Municipality. Climate Adaptation Plan. 2011.
19. Moser SC, et al. Communicating Climate Change: The Importance of Language. Environmental Science.