Coastal Urbanization in The Context of Sea Level Rise. The Example of The ‘50 Pas Géométriques’ Area In Martinique

Abstract

The management of sea-level rise in Martinique, a French island in the Caribbean, is a great concern. Island vulnerability is proven. Human, economic and ecological issues are concentrated on the coast. Because of the uncontrolled coastal urbanization, the functioning of the territory can be challenged. Urban restructuring is necessary to ensure the urban resilience. This article looks at the history of the urbanization of the ‘50 pas géométriques’ zone to understand how this vulnerability arose, and at the policies implemented to try to control urbanization in this coastal zone, before tackling the new planning issues linked to the context of climate change and, more particularly, sea-level rise.This paper was produced for the presentation made at the Caribbean Urban Forum, 2021.

Keywords

• Martinique
• public policy
• coastal urbanization
• territorial strategy
• informalities
• sea-level rise