Coastal erosion and Urban Planning in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

This research investigates the impact of coastal erosion on urban planning in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka with a focus on how the land use patterns, infrastructure vulnerability and sustainable planning strategies.Coastal erosion was intensified by natural processes (ex, wave action, monsoons) and rapid tourism driven development, threatens infrastructure, ecosystems, and livelihoods.Despite existing research on geological aspects a gap persists in understanding its interaction with local urban planning.The research employs a qualitative case study approach, combining with document analysis of literature and policy documents with semi structured interviews of local stakeholders (engineers, residents, business owners).Findings shows that unplanned tourism development has led to a 30.41% increase in built up areas since 1984 reducing natural coastal buffers (ex, mangroves, dunes) and exacerbating erosion.Infrastructure including roads and utilities is highly vulnerable due to proximity to erosion hotspots with 73% of beachfront properties having less than 50 meters of buffer and also current planning practices lack effective enforcement of setback regulations (ex, 300 meter Coastal Setback Zone) and integration of coastal hazard mapping, hence this research identifies the need for sustainable strategies such as nature based solutions such as mangrove restoration, dune stabilization and adaptive governance involving community participation.These findings can contribute to strategic urban planning by integrating coastal resilience and offer lessons for other Sri Lankan coastal communities.