ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part reviews some of the challenges that working with private coastal property brings. It introduces 'living shorelines.' This is a policy and design model that uses natural protections rather than gray structural approaches. The part demonstrates one approach to the complexity of understanding the likely impacts of climate change on urban infrastructure. It provides a holistic view of what climate change means for tourism-based economies in what are called 'small island developing states' or small island developing states (SIDS), and the implications are quite serious. The part discusses the use of Integrated Coastal Zone Management and town planning, requiring setbacks and assuring public access to beaches have helped mitigate the relentless pressure for mass tourism and near-shore beach development. It explores principles for better adapted coastal land use and infrastructure, the challenges for developing countries and tourism locations, and the interconnectedness of urban systems.
