Practical Steps for Mitigating Climate Change-Induced Risks: A Guideline for Enhancing the Resilience of Vulnerable Egyptian Coastal Regions

Abstract

Climate change poses escalating threats to coastal regions globally, with sea-level rise (SLR) and flooding disproportionately impacting low-lying areas like Alexandria, Egypt. Studies project that 74% of Alexandria’s population could face coastal flooding by 2100, while 30-40% of its coastal districts already reside in high-risk flood zones. Despite Egypt’s National Climate Change Strategy 2050, implementation gaps persist, leaving adaptation efforts fragmented and reactive. This paper addresses this critical gap by developing a Coastal Resilience Guideline (CRG) tailored to Alexandria, introducing a hybrid governance approach that integrates adaptation and mitigation across multiple sectors. Through a systematic review of a) climate change risks, b) adaptation and mitigation strategies, including global case studies from the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Japan, and New York City, and c) policy gaps. The study identifies key challenges that include weak coordination, minimal integration of NbS, and insufficient representation of informal communities. The proposed CRG consolidates green and grey infrastructure into an actionable roadmap, backed by a phased action plan (2025-2040) that prioritises flood-resilient building codes, wetland restoration, and digital early warning systems. The findings align with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 11, positioning the CRG as a scalable, equity-centred model for climate-resilient urban development. By synthesising global practices into a localised guideline, this paper contributes actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and architects. It underscores the urgency of bridging policy-practice gaps through adaptive governance, offering a replicable model for Mediterranean coastal cities facing similar risks.