Coastal Zone Management

The coastal zone is one of the most productive areas on Earth, which has made it a pole of attraction and population concentration. From a human perspective, it provides space for housing and infrastructure development; goods and services for the development of human/economic activities; and ecosystem services that provide tangible and intangible benefits for human development. As a result, one of the main characteristics of this zone is its high susceptibility to impacts caused by the accumulation of human-induced pressures. In addition, natural hazards, including climate change, increase pressure on the system, and the resulting impacts can become a major driver of land-use changes in the coastal zone. For all these reasons, coastal management must take these constraints into account in order to properly minimize the associated impacts and optimize the use of the coastal zone while protecting its natural values.

Within this framework, the research carried out at LIM / UPC focuses on the main issues related to the interaction between the dynamics of the coastal system and the use, conservation, and management of the coastal zone. Thus, among other topics, we work on:

Beach and coastal management

Multi-hazard coastal vulnerability and risk analysis

Impact of climate change and adaptation measures in the coastal zone

Influence and impact of anthropogenic pressures in the coastal zone

Coastal tourism and recreational beaches

Environmental aspects in the coastal zone

Contact: Prof. José A Jiménez