Urban Risk Assessments: Framework for Identifying Land-uses Exposure of Coastal Cities to Sea Level Rise, a Case Study of Alexandria

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

1 Master Student, Aswan University

2 Faculty of Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

3 Assistant Professor, Aswan University

Abstract

Climate change is widely seen as one of the most serious threats confronting humanity, owing to the rapidly rising greenhouse gas emissions. Sea level rise (SLR) is believed to be the most serious challenge posed by climate change; as the climate changes, SLR is accelerated impacting all low laying coastal regions worldwide, especially in developing countries. Egyptian coastal cities, particularly Alexandria governorate, are seen as desirable places for population and tourism, even though they are among the most likely regions worldwide to face severe SLR threat. This paper aims to provide a simple methodological framework that can be applied by developing countries with limited resources to detect SLR hazard impact on coastal land uses and to study future SLR land exposure scenarios as a mandatory step in urban risk assessment process. The framework relies on the integration between remote sensing techniques and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and depending on free easy access data. Results for the case study area shows that by the end of the century, 17% of Alexandria governorate will be submerged due to SLR, additionally SLR will have a significant impact on beaches and tourist destinations, which play a crucial part in the economic development of Alexandria governorate and will undoubtedly have a direct impact on it.

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