Regional spatial planning assessments for adaptation to accelerated sea level rise - an application to Martinique’s coastal zone

Accelerated sea level rise and hurricanes are increasingly influencing human coastal activities. With respect to the projected continuation of accelerated sea level rise and global warming one must count with additional expenses for adaptation strategies along the coasts. On the mountainous island Martinique the majority of settlements are situated along the coast almost at sea level. But potential rises in sea level and its impacts are not addressed in coastal management, even if saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion with increasing offshore loss of sediment are locally already a severe problem. Following article deals with the evaluation of human vulnerability to accelerated sea level rise on the Martinique coast. In addition, it assesses the possible effects of sea level rise on the island for future regional planning purposes spatially. The actual situation and legislation measures for coastal zone management of the island are described and sea level rise response strategies are discussed. This paper sees itself as recommendation of action not only for Martinique.