Alexandria, Cleopatra’s birthplace, faces a rising number of building collapses due to coastal erosion and sea level rise. Research shows incidents have surged from one annual collapse to forty in the last decade. Approximately 7,000 older buildings are at risk, prompting calls for preventative measures such as coastal barriers.
The historic city of Alexandria, known as Cleopatra’s birthplace, is witnessing a significant increase in building collapses attributed to coastal erosion and rising sea levels. Research from the University of Southern California indicates that these collapses escalated from about one per year to an alarming forty annually over the last decade, as seawater compromises building foundations.
Founded by Alexander the Great more than 2,000 years ago, Alexandria is one of the world’s oldest cities, housing six million residents. Its dense population and vulnerable coastal position put its historic architecture at risk due to climate change-induced sea level rise.
Researchers utilized various analytical methods to examine Alexandria’s shoreline changes, creating digital maps marking collapsed buildings and gathering historical data from a variety of sources over the last two decades. This was complemented by satellite imagery and historical maps dating back to 1887, analyzing the coastline’s movement and rising groundwater levels affecting building foundations directly.
The study found that even a marginal increase in sea levels can lead to catastrophic structural failures, with approximately 7,000 older buildings in Alexandria deemed at risk of collapse. Recent incidents, such as a building collapse that resulted in four fatalities, exemplify the urgent issues residents face.
To combat these risks, researchers have proposed the implementation of sand dunes and vegetation barriers along the coast to prevent seawater intrusion. This approach, as noted by co-author Steffen Nijhuis, highlights a sustainable and cost-effective solution applicable to other urban coastal areas around the world.
Alexandria’s challenges reflect broader global concerns regarding rising sea levels and coastal erosion, especially in Mediterranean urban areas. The study emphasizes that even small rises in sea levels can lead to significant consequences, challenging the assumption that only major increases are problematic.
The situation in Alexandria illustrates the severe consequences of climate change on coastal cities, as rising sea levels lead to an unprecedented increase in building collapses. Researchers advocate for proactive measures such as coastal barriers to mitigate these challenges. It is crucial to recognize that even minor sea level changes can have substantial impacts on urban infrastructure, showcasing the need for global awareness and action.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
