Alexandria, Egypt, is experiencing a tenfold increase in building collapses due to rising sea levels, with more than 7,000 structures at risk. Research indicates that climate change is weakening foundations, leading to structural failures. Urgent action, such as building coastal defenses, is necessary to preserve the city’s historic architecture.
The city of Alexandria, Egypt, is experiencing significant structural collapses due to rising sea levels. Recent studies reveal that the number of buildings collapsing annually has increased tenfold over the past two decades. Researchers utilized satellite imagery in conjunction with historical maps to assess the retreats of Alexandria’s shoreline, illustrating the encroachment of rising seas into groundwater and impacting nearby structures.
Sara Fouad, a researcher at the Technical University of Munich, emphasizes the historical resilience of Alexandria’s architecture, stating that despite withstanding natural disasters for centuries, modern climate change effects are rapidly deteriorating these structures. With rising tides and stronger storms, the foundation integrity of numerous buildings is endangered.
Furthermore, the study, published in the journal “Earth’s Future,” highlights the specific mechanics behind the collapses, including erosion of foundations and weakening of soils due to a rising water table. Alarmingly, over 7,000 buildings in Alexandria are currently at risk.
Since 2001, the city has recorded the collapse of 290 buildings. Study coauthor Essam Heggy from the University of Southern California notes that the loss reflects a broader crisis affecting historic coastal cities worldwide, urging that these climate-related risks are now urgent realities rather than distant threats.
To mitigate further damage, researchers advocate for constructing sand dunes and planting trees along the coastline to serve as a protective barrier against the encroaching seawater.
In summary, Alexandria faces a critical threat from rising sea levels that is leading to the collapse of numerous buildings, reflecting broader implications for historic coastal cities. The research underscores the urgency of addressing climate change’s impact on architectural integrity, advocating for active measures such as the construction of sand dunes and tree planting. As Alexandria grapples with this challenge, it serves as a cautionary tale of the significant and immediate risks posed by climate change.
Original Source: e360.yale.edu
