Alexandria Faces Rising Threat of Building Collapses Amid Sea Level Increase

A study reveals a dramatic rise in building collapses in Alexandria, Cleopatra’s birthplace, linked to coastal erosion and raising Mediterranean sea levels, increasing from one collapse yearly to 40 over the past decade. Researchers warn that 7,000 structures are at risk, advocating for sustainable solutions like sand dunes to combat rising seawater intrusions.

Recent research indicates that Alexandria, the historic birthplace of Cleopatra, is experiencing a significant increase in building collapses attributed to coastal erosion and rising sea levels. Once rare, these collapses have surged from approximately one annually to 40 within the last decade, primarily due to seawater intrusion undermining the foundations of structures in this populous port city, according to a study conducted by the University of Southern California.

Founded over 2,000 years ago by Alexander the Great, Alexandria is not only one of the oldest cities globally but also one of Africa’s most populous, currently home to around 6 million residents. The city’s historical heritage is threatened as rising sea levels and more intense storms, consequences of climate change, jeopardize ancient structures that have withstood nature’s trials for centuries.

The researchers utilized various methodologies to assess shoreline changes, developing digital maps to track building collapses and compiling data from government reports, news archives, and site visits over a twenty-year period. They incorporated satellite imagery and historical maps from 1887, 1959, and 2001 to illustrate how the coastline has receded up to several dozen feet, thereby elevating groundwater levels affecting building foundations.

Soil isotopes were analyzed to assess seawater intrusion effects, revealing that structural failures are often due to groundwater damage that erodes foundations. Notably, even minor sea level increases can lead to catastrophic consequences, as highlighted by water scientist Essam Heggy, a co-author of the study, emphasizing the alarming potential of just a few centimeters of rise.

The study identified an estimated 7,000 aging structures in Alexandria at risk of collapse, including one incident last year in the Wardiyan neighborhood that resulted in four fatalities. A significant structure that collapsed two years prior also appears to have been crippled by groundwater issues, indicating a rising trend of structural vulnerabilities linked to environmental changes.

To mitigate these dangers, researchers advocate for implementing sand dunes and vegetation barriers along Alexandria’s coastline to impede seawater penetration beneath buildings. This proposed sustainable and cost-effective approach could be applied to many densely populated coastal regions worldwide, as noted by Steffen Nijhuis, a landscape-based urbanist from Delft University.

Alexandria’s plight mirrors the struggles faced by numerous coastal cities globally, particularly those along the Mediterranean and California coastlines, confronting similar threats due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. As Essam Heggy asserts, it is essential to redefine perspectives on the impacts of sea level rise, indicating that even modest increases can lead to significant coastal transformations and hazards.

In summary, Alexandria is encountering a troubling escalation in building collapses due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion, significantly impacting both its infrastructure and historical legacy. Approximately 7,000 buildings are at risk, with research indicating that even slight sea level increases can have severe implications. Proposed solutions, such as constructing natural barriers, could serve as effective measures to protect vulnerable urban coastal areas worldwide.

Original Source: www.cnn.com