Towards a strategic framework for coastal vulnerability assessment and adaptive management: a review

The coastal zone is exposed to various hazards whose magnitude and probability of occurrence rely on the area’s coastal forces and characteristic features. Worldwide, countries are witnessing a greater incidence of extreme events in coastal areas, making these zones highly unpredictable and susceptible. Vulnerability assessments are considered a tool by decision-makers to identify and prioritise areas likely to experience damaging effects in response to the different hazards and frame policy decisions to adapt or minimise the detrimental effects. This review paper explores the research across regions in this field with a view to identifying critical coastal hazards, understanding the factors responsible for the vulnerability of an area and suggesting a sequential approach to assessing the vulnerability of an area and recommending options for adapting or handling the coastal threats.