A physical coastal vulnerability index for site-specific assessment

Assessment of coastal vulnerability is essential for protecting coastal areas from natural hazards and extreme weather events. In the United Kingdom (UK), low-lying coastal zones frequently experience inundation, flooding, landslides, coastal erosion, and cliff failures, all of which are intensified by climate change. Although the UK possesses one of Europe's longest and most geomorphologically diverse coastlines, this diversity limits the effectiveness of standard assessment tools such as the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI), which often fail to capture site-specific characteristics. To address this research gap, the present study used a Place-Based Coastal Vulnerability Index (PB-CVI) that integrates both conventional and recently used physical vulnerability parameters tailored to local coastal conditions. The PB-CVI was applied to assess approximately 110 km of the Lancashire coastline and adjoining Sefton coast in northern England. Results showed that 66% of the coastline falls within high or very high vulnerability categories, with Blackpool, Heysham, and areas near Fleetwood identified as the most vulnerable locations. GIS-based vulnerability maps were produced to visualize spatial variations in vulnerability and support effective decision-making. The study also proposed place-based adaptation and resilience strategies, providing valuable guidance for local and national policymakers to implement immediate and long-term coastal protection measures.