Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity and it is affecting every country on every continent. The impact of climate change is particularly pertinent to the built environment in coastal regions given the socioeconomic importance of this area and the expected impacts related to rising sea levels, increase frequency of extreme events and changes in coastal dynamics, in addition to changes in temperature or precipitation. It is important to better understand the impacts of climate change and the existing capacities to develop tangible climate adaptation measures for the built environment in coastal regions.

In addressing this adaptation challenge, we must change how we approach urban planning and design, construct and retrofit the built environment. Climate change adaptation in the coastal built environment goes beyond addressing physical and environmental needs. It must also address socio-cultural, institutional, human capital, and economic perspectives to promote efficient climate change adaptation measures.

This high-level, international symposium will encourage debate and discussion on how a holistic approach to climate change adaptation in the built environment can help address some challenges and provide effective policies and methods for climate change adaptation in the coastal built environment. It will promote knowledge-sharing among the research community and practitioners in the field and encourage multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral interaction. The symposium is organised by the project consortium of BEACON, an ERASMUS + project, co-funded by the European Commission.