Li / Adaptation through design

Adaptation through design Coastal Ecological Passage (CEP) as an innovative nature-based defense to tackle rising sea level

Author: Jiaxi Li, Politecnico di Milano

Supervisor: Matteo Umberto Poli, Politecnico di Milano

Research stage: intermediate doctoral stage

Category: Paper

Abstract

Sea level rise(SLR) due to climate change is and will continue altering the world's coasts, which are the most densely populated and economically active areas on earth and home to highly valuable ecosystems.

This paper argues that the theory of 'ecological coastal passages(ECP)' offers a masterplan design support tool that provides planning & design guidelines for the implementation of 'resilience districts' in the different scales that aid in improving the region's resilience tackle hazards by sea-level rise.

This analysis details a design strategy on the macro scale, a master plan of 'ECP's network' to identify a 'resilience districts' framework for the city of New York. The research culminates with a generalizable urban planning and design framework for protecting critical infrastructure, 'thickening' regional soft systems, and turning the coastal delta metropolitan area into a resilient sponge. The overall theme emphasizes landscape as a critical public safety service.

Keywords: coastal area,resilience,ecological design