Proactive Coastal Resilience: Vulnerability of the Northern Nile Delta Built Environment

Abstract

Mediterranean area is facing current coastal problems due to Sea Level Rise (SLR). Egyptian Northern Nile Delta is one of the most vulnerable zones in the Mediterranean area. Based on SLR scenarios, Deltaic zones are subjected to high erosion and inundation rates resulting in great loss of deltaic precious agricultural lands threatening the region’s economy and ecosystem. In addition to the built environment, causing instability of the whole society. Built environment of any coastal community is highly vulnerable to SLR. As SL rises, some coastal areas will be inundated with its buildings, streets, etc. affecting the services and facilities of the community. Addressing coastal problems requires proactive long term intervention plans. Therefore, solving coastal problems is considered a challenge as it requires integration between long and short term plans. Although coastal problems require long term solutions, all the available coastal management plans are short termed and reactive to a sudden occurring disaster. This paper aims to demonstrate the historical records of Northern Nile delta shoreline according to SLR scenarios, presents SLR impacts, expected land loss rate and affected built environment over the coming decades. Furthermore, the paper investigates adaptation approaches dealing with the vulnerable areas to protect them from sudden threats.