APAC 2019

Abstract

The authors conducted extensive field surveys in densely populated coastal areas affected by land subsidence in Indonesia, Philippines and Japan. The results indicate that the preferred adaptation mechanism for coastal areas is elevating them using soil, rubble, or coral stones, and then re-surfacing to obtain a smooth surface, and building dykes where possible. Eventually, pumps are installed, and new areas can be reclaimed from the sea. By studying how densely populated coastal communities have attempted to adapt to land subsidence, it is possible to try to understand the effects that future sea level rise will have on other areas of the planet.