Climate change and adaptation on cultural heritage in the face of sea level rise. A perspective from insularity

Abstract

Climate change is being recognized as one of the phenomena with the greatest impact on Spanish cultural heritage. From the point of view of spatial management, integrated planning on the coastline is presented as the most appropriate response to climate change in the shoreline. One of the direct vectors in the vulnerability of historical heritage located close to the coast is sea level rise. A review of the assets of historical and cultural heritage in areas of marine intrusion implies to take awareness of possible impacts on which they will be subjected in the coming decades. In the specific case of the Canary Islands, there are innumerable elements of historical and cultural heritage in coastal areas that may be affected by sea level rise. Archaeological sites, historical urban centres, fortresses of the Modern Era, saltworks and other productive infrastructures of great cultural values are being altered by the action of high tides and other extreme phenomena associated with climate change. A system of assessment of impacts on the heritage located on the coast is proposed, which makes possible to prioritize decision making as the first mechanism to manage this huge problem. Once the patrimonial assets at risk have been identified, the necessary adaptation strategies can be established preventatively. A planning of adaptation actions should be coordinated equally with changes in the definition of land uses. This implies a change in the planning model that encompasses both territorial management and urban planning. It is, in short, the need to implement a response that encompasses integrated planning strategies, beyond the recurrent sectoral vision of heritage protection.