The rising tide: Adaptation to sea-level rise in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Climate change and sea-level rise could increase urban flooding over the next century. In developed coastal areas, private and public property, buildings and infrastructure could experience flooding and storm surges. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island is the subject of this research and illustrates the impact of sea-level rise and possible adaptation solutions for an urban, coastal area. Although risk assessments and flood mapping have been conducted for Charlottetown, the City has yet to develop official policies relating to urban development and sea-level rise. Interviews with key informants and an examination of relevant case studies are used to identify major issues related to flooding, if coastal areas are preparing for sea-level rise, best practices, and adaptive design solutions. Flood maps, city planning documents, and site observations are used to analyze significant infrastructure and the local urban landscape. Findings inform the development of effective future planning and design approaches for the City of Charlottetown.;Keywords: flood protection; coastal development; climate change; storm surges; coastal cities; landscape architecture; sea-level rise.