Path Dependency and Future Adaptation of Coastal Cities: Examples From the Asia-Pacific
The need for Asia-Pacific coastal cities to adapt effectively and sustainably to accelerating (relative) sea-level rise is growing. If such adaptation does not occur in a timely manner, then it could result in socio-economic problems that will reverberate throughout the region. Using examples of coa...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.642385/full |
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doaj-e76ba764dd1e4119a702fd6df61d2cb72021-08-24T04:57:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2021-08-01910.3389/fenvs.2021.642385642385Path Dependency and Future Adaptation of Coastal Cities: Examples From the Asia-PacificPatrick D. Nunn0Timothy F. Smith1Timothy F. Smith2Timothy F. Smith3Carmen Elrick-Barr4Sustainability Research Centre and Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, AustraliaSustainability Research Centre and Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, AustraliaEnvironmental Sustainability Research Centre, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, CanadaSWEDESD, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenSustainability Research Centre and Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, AustraliaThe need for Asia-Pacific coastal cities to adapt effectively and sustainably to accelerating (relative) sea-level rise is growing. If such adaptation does not occur in a timely manner, then it could result in socio-economic problems that will reverberate throughout the region. Using examples of coastal Asia-Pacific cities that are characterised by contrasting geographical settings and cultural contexts, this study argues that the main barrier to such adaptation is path dependency. In this sense, path dependency is a legacy of past decisions that have been influenced by topography, economic goals, and the cultural-political characteristics of key decision-making groups. These path dependencies manifest as various adaptation preferences, which to date have been dominated by hard engineering solutions. In an era of accelerating climate change there is now a need to seek alternatives to in-situ urban growth. This paper argues that an understanding of a city’s path dependency is key to optimizing the effectiveness of future adaptation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.642385/fullcoastal managementclimate change adaptationpath dependencyurban futuressea-level riseurbanization |
| collection |
DOAJ |
| language |
English |
| format |
Article |
| sources |
DOAJ |
| author |
Patrick D. Nunn Timothy F. Smith Timothy F. Smith Timothy F. Smith Carmen Elrick-Barr |
| spellingShingle |
Patrick D. Nunn Timothy F. Smith Timothy F. Smith Timothy F. Smith Carmen Elrick-Barr Path Dependency and Future Adaptation of Coastal Cities: Examples From the Asia-Pacific Frontiers in Environmental Science coastal management climate change adaptation path dependency urban futures sea-level rise urbanization |
| author_facet |
Patrick D. Nunn Timothy F. Smith Timothy F. Smith Timothy F. Smith Carmen Elrick-Barr |
| author_sort |
Patrick D. Nunn |
| title |
Path Dependency and Future Adaptation of Coastal Cities: Examples From the Asia-Pacific |
| title_short |
Path Dependency and Future Adaptation of Coastal Cities: Examples From the Asia-Pacific |
| title_full |
Path Dependency and Future Adaptation of Coastal Cities: Examples From the Asia-Pacific |
| title_fullStr |
Path Dependency and Future Adaptation of Coastal Cities: Examples From the Asia-Pacific |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Path Dependency and Future Adaptation of Coastal Cities: Examples From the Asia-Pacific |
| title_sort |
path dependency and future adaptation of coastal cities: examples from the asia-pacific |
| publisher |
Frontiers Media S.A. |
| series |
Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| issn |
2296-665X |
| publishDate |
2021-08-01 |
| description |
The need for Asia-Pacific coastal cities to adapt effectively and sustainably to accelerating (relative) sea-level rise is growing. If such adaptation does not occur in a timely manner, then it could result in socio-economic problems that will reverberate throughout the region. Using examples of coastal Asia-Pacific cities that are characterised by contrasting geographical settings and cultural contexts, this study argues that the main barrier to such adaptation is path dependency. In this sense, path dependency is a legacy of past decisions that have been influenced by topography, economic goals, and the cultural-political characteristics of key decision-making groups. These path dependencies manifest as various adaptation preferences, which to date have been dominated by hard engineering solutions. In an era of accelerating climate change there is now a need to seek alternatives to in-situ urban growth. This paper argues that an understanding of a city’s path dependency is key to optimizing the effectiveness of future adaptation. |
| topic |
coastal management climate change adaptation path dependency urban futures sea-level rise urbanization |
| url |
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.642385/full |
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