Methods for addressing tidal floods in coastal cities: An overview

Abstract

Coastal cities are prone to tidal floods because coastal cities are centers of economic activities, trades and services; in addition, there are residential and housing centers. In general, this kind of natural disaster has flooded the lower area, which greatly negative impacts on the health, lifestyle and socioeconomic life of the affected population in coastal cities. In the following decades, tidal floods will damage more than a hundred major coastal cities worldwide. This paper aims to examine the causes, effects and impacts of tidal floods as well as methods that have been taken globally by reviewing papers published in global indexed journals concerning the handling of tidal floods around the world. This study reveals three methods; the first is the hard solution method involving infrastructures such as dikes, sea walls, water storage and pumps (polder system). Then the second is the soft solution method related to social, cultural, and habitual methods, such as adaptation, encouraging local wisdom and collective action. While the third is the policy and management system solution method that implements integrated policies and flood management.