The present project aimed to Understand how Asiandeltaic cities (namely Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, etc) are adapting toground subsidence and sea level rise (SLR), and the effect that this is havingon socio-economic systems. As part of the project the authors conducted aliterature survey of how different cities around the planet are adapting to sealevel rise, which were combined with past research at Waseda university thatutilized state of the art simulations of typhoons and storm surges. As aresult, adaptation pathways that can improve the long-term resilience ofcommunities to sea level rise (SLR) and climate enhanced natural disasters wereformulated. While it is clear that future SLR will pose an additional financialstrain on coastal communities, there is no evidence that any major coastalsettlements will retreat in the course of the 21st century, giventhe range of adaptation options available. Rather, the opposite appears to betrue, and evidence indicates that humans will probably continue to encroach onthe sea.  

The present project aimed todevelop a framework for pre-disaster reconstruction plans in the Philippines.As part of the project the authors conducted a literature survey of thehistorical development of Cebu city, obtaining information about reclaimedareas around the coastline (which are low-lying and are particularly at risk ofsuffering the effects of storm surges). Following typhoon Rei (Odette) inDecember 2022 there was widespread damage around Cebu, and the researcherssurveyed coastal areas to ascertain storm surge levels and document the damagethat took place.  

The research project achieved its objectives. The applicant traveled to the Philippines and conducted bathymetry surveys, aerial drone surveys, and conducted interviews with residents affected by high tides. Several locations on the islands were marked to continue to monitor the extent of the floods in future years. The significant of the research has already been picked up by the Guardian, a leading UK newspaper:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/01/enduring-the-tide-the-flooded-philippine-islands-that-locals-wont-leave?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR1SbqzIseGiwNIWmv__ujg-LuSccAlB2CSi_kWUJ9LOe8hZLhEI9BIFxTEThe article has been shared over 3000 times, with links to the videos related to the project having been watched over 12,000 times. Otherwise, so far one journal paper and one conference paper include the work that was done on the field trip, with several others currently under review.