Coastal cities and sustainability. Case study: San Juan roadway system

Abstract

Climate change poses threats to urban infrastructure, quality of life, and entire urban systems. Cities have to be able to adapt to climate-induced changes. Coastal cities have even more handicaps because of natural geographic conditions that affect sea levels rise and severity and frequently windstorms. This article provides an understanding of the functioning of the roadway system on the coastal ecosystems, the ecological services, and the built environment. The main objectives are Leverage Hurricane Maria research investments to advance in the development of a more sustainable urban model and identify the potential of the road system as a global intervention in the territory and in the urban metabolism to achieve it. As a study case, San Juan Roadway System is analyzed to understand its relation with the vulnerability indexes. The results of this product scientific knowledge are guidelines that can serve as a basis for the generation of public policies for roadway system planning in order to deal with natural hazards and advance to sustainable urban development. The research approach is that the roadway system has a decisive impact on urban metabolism processes and hence on disaster vulnerability. License terms (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0). Unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited.