Rising Sea Levels Threaten Alexandria’s Historic Buildings

Alexandria, Egypt, is experiencing a significant increase in building collapses due to rising sea levels and climate change. A recent study indicates that the number of buildings falling each year has surged tenfold, with over 7,000 structures now at risk. Researchers advocate for coastal protection measures to combat this pressing issue as the city’s historic architecture faces threats that were once thought to be distant.

The historic port city of Alexandria, Egypt, faces significant structural challenges due to rising sea levels, resulting in numerous building collapses. Sara Fouad from the Technical University of Munich highlighted that centuries of resilient engineering are now at risk due to climate change, which is exacerbating the situation. Alexandria has witnessed a tenfold increase in building collapses over the last two decades, prompting an urgent investigation into the issue.

Fouad’s research, published in “Earth’s Future,” involved analyzing satellite imagery alongside historical maps to identify shifts in the shoreline and the subsequent intrusion of seawater into the groundwater. The study revealed that the rising water table is compromising soil integrity and eroding building foundations, leading to their destruction. Researchers urged the construction of sand dunes and reforestation along the coast to mitigate the effects of encroaching seawater, noting that over 7,000 buildings are currently at risk.

Since 2001, Alexandria has recorded 290 building collapses, with coauthor Essam Heggy from the University of Southern California stating, “The true cost of this loss extends far beyond bricks and mortar.” He emphasized that Alexandria’s plight serves as a warning of the very real impacts of climate change on historic coastal cities, where what once seemed to be future risks have become immediate threats.

The rising sea levels in Alexandria, Egypt, pose a severe risk to its historic structures, with an alarming increase in building collapses. Researchers attribute this phenomenon to climate change, calling for immediate action to implement preventative measures such as constructing sand dunes and planting trees. The ongoing deterioration of Alexandria is a poignant reminder of the urgent challenges faced by coastal cities worldwide as they grapple with the effects of environmental changes.

Original Source: e360.yale.edu