Developing a Climate Change Vulnerability Index for Coastal City Sustainability, Mitigation, and Adaptation: A Case Study of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
Milad Bagheri,
Zelina Zaiton Ibrahim,
Mohd Fadzil Akhir,
Wan Izatul Asma Wan Talaat,
Bahareh Oryani,
Shahabaldin Rezania,
Isabelle D. Wolf,
Amin Beiranvand Pour
Affiliations
Milad Bagheri
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu 21030, Malaysia
Zelina Zaiton Ibrahim
Department of Environment, Faculty of Environmental and forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan 43400, Malaysia
Mohd Fadzil Akhir
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu 21030, Malaysia
Wan Izatul Asma Wan Talaat
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu 21030, Malaysia
Bahareh Oryani
Technology Management, Economics and Policy Program, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
Shahabaldin Rezania
Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea
Isabelle D. Wolf
School of Geography and Sustainable Communities, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Amin Beiranvand Pour
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu 21030, Malaysia
Coastal hazards are an urgent issue of global concern considering the increasing population pressure in coastal regions, retreating coastlines, and rising seawater levels. Here we demonstrate the process of assessing the vulnerability of a coastal urban environment using the case of Kuala Terengganu, a coastal town in Malaysia, and evaluating the potential social, environmental, and economic impacts. Uncertainties in the human dimensions of global change deeply affect the assessment and responses to environmental, climatic, and non-climate impacts on coastal city population growth and communities. We address these uncertainties by combining a Delphi-Analytical Hierarchy Process (Delphi-AHP) model and Geographic Information System (GIS)tools to determine mitigation and adaptation probabilities as part of a Coastal City Vulnerability Assessment. We conclude by presenting calculations of the short- and long-term suitability for land use and recommending hazard mitigation measures to equip city planners and decision-makers in evaluating hazards and potential impacts on coastal city areas.
