Shifting coasts: developing new coastal concepts

Abstract

Coastal environments are closely under the radar of the impact of climate change. Approximately 680 million people live in low-lying coastal zones according to the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report from 2019.1 The report presents key threats to coastal environments that include permanent submergence, more frequent and intense flooding, loss and change of ecosystems and the salinization of the ground. In arctic and sub-arctic regions, thawing permafrost has weakened coastlines resulting in accelerated coastal erosion. In addition, the reduction of sea ice has left coasts in these regions without a buffer to protect them against severe wave erosion. The report concludes with certainty that coastal environments, especially in low lying regions, have challenging futures ahead. Designers and artists are reacting to these changes. Many competitions, exhibitions and art installations relating to threatened coastal environments expose this contemporary trend.