Planering för ett förändrat klimat – strategi för att hantera stigande havsnivåer i fysisk planering i Ystad, Skåne / Planning for climate change – a strategy to manage sea level rise in spatial planning in Ystad, Scania

Ystad municipality in the south of Sweden is working on an extension of the comprehensive plan for the main city and its surroundings. Ystad is situated on the coast and the effects of climate change are expected to be challenging in the future. Sea level rise will increase the risk of flooding and erosion in coastal areas. Meanwhile, the demand for seaside property is increasing and the municipality is planning to extend the city towards the sea. The authors of this article have analysed the effects of climate change within the plan area and suggested a strategy for how the community should respond to sea level rise in their spatial planning. It is a proactive strategy where some areas in the city will be protected by development of new property in front of the existing buildings. Along beaches and in recreational areas, protective measures should be designed to enhance the attractiveness so that the present increase in tourism may continue. The aim of the strategy is that adaptation to climate change should add values to the municipality instead of just costs. Protective measures should be flexible and adjustable to changes in prognoses and technical development. As the effects of the climate change still are very uncertain the municipality should aim to do as little as possible, as late as possible, but still not too late.