The challenges and potentials of short-termism in coastal urban planning practice – insights from 18 pilot projects in Denmark

Urban development in low-lying coastal areas is in conflict with sea level rise and increased risk of coastal flooding. This chapter reveals current coastal urban planning practice in 18 frontrunner cities in Denmark. Coastal protection is the dominant adaptation measure, and urban development in flood-prone areas remains largely unchallenged. This is partly resulting from systemic path-dependency, short-term thinking and inherent project logics. Though short-termism facilitates local experiments, learning loops, and path-deviant actions, it falls short in considering long-term goals and more fundamental changes to coastal adaptation. This calls for systematic visioning, monitoring and knowledge sharing in coastal urban planning practice.