Eco-Levee Coastal Corridors for Integrating Nature-Based and Hybrid Solutions in Coastal Resilience

Abstract

Coastal settlements in low-lying tropical regions are increasingly threatened by tidal flooding, coastal erosion, and ecosystem degradation driven by climate change and rapid urbanization. Objectives: This study aims to develop and evaluate the Eco-Levee Coastal Corridor (ELCC) as a multifunctional spatial adaptation model that integrates coastal protection, ecological restoration, and social functions. Methods/Analysis: The research employs an integrated spatial analysis combining coastal hazard mapping, morphological assessment, and socio-spatial analysis of settlement patterns, supported by a design-based research approach to formulate the ELCC framework. The analysis focuses on coastal settlements in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, representing both urban and rural contexts with high vulnerability to tidal flooding and abrasion. Findings: The results demonstrate that ELCC enhances coastal resilience by combining hybrid engineering structures with Nature-Based Solutions, including vegetated buffers and edible forest systems, while simultaneously accommodating mobility corridors and community-based activities. This integrated configuration reduces exposure to coastal hazards, improves environmental quality, and supports local livelihoods. Novelty: The novelty of this study lies in reconceptualizing the eco-levee not merely as a defensive infrastructure but as a multifunctional coastal corridor that aligns technical engineering design with socio-spatial dynamics, offering a scalable and adaptive model for sustainable coastal development in vulnerable tropical coastal settlements.

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