Urban expansion in the coastal zone of Greece: Temporal changes, climate risks and the role of spatial planning

Abstract

The accelerating expansion of urban land uses in coastal areas contributes to Climate Change, degrading coastal ecosystems and being associated with increased demands for energy and new infrastructure. At the same time, the significant spatial dispersion of residential, commercial, and tourist infrastructures renders these infrastructures vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change. The aim of this study is to detect urban expansion trends in coastal areas of Greece and link them to issues of climate risk. The methodological steps include: a) analyzing urban expansion through te land coverage percentages of artificial structures (impermeability) in the coastal zone, b) classifying the geographical areas, based on recent trends, and c) assessing the situation, in relation to protected areas and areas at risk of sea-level rise and flooding. The final section examines how the results can support different levels of spatial planning in Greece, in order to promote adaptation to Climate Change.