BAKU SEA-LEVEL RISE RESILIENCE CHALLENGES: BEYOND THE UNIDIRECTIONAL COASTAL URBAN RENEWAL PROGRAM

Abstract

Climate change is manifesting its influence on urban areas, intensifying apprehensions regarding their resilience in the face of future challenges. The challenges are notably pronounced in coastal city regions, marked by high population density and land use. Alongside the established perils inherent to coastal cities, such as irregular precipitation and cyclical water level fluctuations, the Caspian Sea region carries its own unique range of challenges associated with urban and industrial development, including activities like oil exploration and exploitation. The challenges associated with the Caspian Sea's rising sea levels for coastal areas highlight the importance of integrating natural and physical protective measures into the built environment. Within this context, various urban planning strategies play a crucial role in adapting to and efficiently managing a range of challenges, notably including flooding, displacement, and infrastructure damage. Baku, the largest city in terms of both size and population along the Caspian Sea, also grapples with the hazards linked to increasing water levels in its coastal urban areas. This is a significant concern for the city, as the increasing complexity of disasters disproportionately affects its coastal areas. Furthermore, the cyclic environmental risks in coastal urban areas are compounded by the growing influence of climate change, seismic hazards, and the potential for associated tsunamis. The article begins with the analysis of current resilient situation of Baku related to sea level rise, addresses risks related to ongoing urban projects on coastal areas and emphasizes the importance of transcending a one-sided (unidirectional) urban renewal approach. It illustrates the various components of a comprehensive and holistic (multidirectional) framework tailored for urban littoral areas, aimed at bolstering the resilience of Baku s coastal areas.